Drain and Sewer Cleaning & Inspection

Most homeowners don't think about their drain and sewer lines until something goes wrong. A slow-draining tub, a gurgling toilet, or worse, a backup in the basement. The good news is that most of these problems give warning signs well before they become emergencies, and modern tools like sewer camera inspections make it possible to catch issues while they're still small, inexpensive fixes.

Your home's drain and sewer lines carry every bit of wastewater from your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry out to the municipal sewer or septic system. Over years of use, these pipes accumulate grease, soap scum, hair, mineral buildup and, especially in older homes, invasive tree roots that work their way through small cracks and joints. Left unaddressed, a partial clog slowly narrows the pipe until it fails completely, often at the least convenient moment.

Regular cleaning and inspection isn't just about avoiding an unpleasant mess. A neglected sewer line can lead to water damage, mold growth, foundation issues, and repair bills that are far larger than routine maintenance would have cost.

A few warning signs are worth acting on right away:

• Slow-draining sinks, tubs, or showers in more than one fixture

• Gurgling sounds coming from drains or toilets

• Recurring clogs that come back shortly after clearing

• Sewage odors near drains, in the yard, or in the basement

• Water backing up into a lower fixture (like a basement floor drain) when you run another one

• Unusually lush or soggy patches of grass over your sewer line

Any one of these can point to a partial blockage, a bellied or collapsed section of pipe, or root intrusion. All things a visual inspection can confirm.

A sewer camera inspection uses a waterproof camera, mounted on a flexible cable that's fed directly into the pipe. As the camera moves through the line, it streams a live, high-resolution video feed that shows exactly what's happening inside. Buildup, cracks, offset joints, root intrusion, or bellies where the pipe has sagged.

Because the footage is timestamped and recorded, it also gives homeowners a clear, documented picture of their plumbing's condition. Useful whether you're planning a fix, budgeting for a future repair, or simply want peace of mind before buying or selling a home.

• Pinpoint Accuracy: Technicians can locate a problem within a foot or two, instead of guessing where to dig or open a wall

• Less Invasive Repairs: Knowing the exact issue and location often means a smaller, more targeted repair

• Preventive Insight: Catching early buildup or minor root intrusion before it becomes a full blockage

• Documentation: Recorded video you can keep on file or share with your plumber for follow-up work

In our service area, the most frequent issues we uncover during inspections include grease and soap buildup in kitchen and bathroom lines, tree root intrusion in older clay or cast-iron sewer laterals, bellied or settled pipe sections in homes with aging infrastructure, and offset or separated joints from ground shifting over time. Many of these homes were built decades ago, and original pipe materials simply weren't designed to last forever. Which is exactly why a periodic inspection is worth scheduling even if nothing seems wrong yet.

• Annually for homes with older sewer lines (clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipe) or mature trees near the sewer line

• Every 2–3 years for newer PVC systems with no history of problems

• Immediately if you notice any of the warning signs listed above

• Before buying or selling a home, so there are no surprises after closing

A drain or sewer problem rarely gets better on its own. If you're noticing slow drains, recurring clogs, or you simply want the peace of mind of a professional camera inspection, Proto Home Service is ready to help. We'll walk the footage with you, explain exactly what we find, and lay out clear options to fix or prevent the problem.