Beware of Sewer Clearing $ Specials $
Beware of Sewer Clearing “$ Specials $”
Provided by Quality Plumbing Services Inc.
Chicagoland’s Trusted Experts in Sewer Cleaning and Power Rodding
If you've ever seen ads for low-cost sewer rodding specials, you’re not alone. These attention-grabbing offers may sound like a great deal—but they often come with a catch. In many cases, what starts as a cheap sewer cleaning ends with a high-pressure sales pitch for costly, and often unnecessary, sewer repairs.
At Quality Plumbing Services Inc., we’ve seen it all—and we want to help homeowners avoid becoming the next victim of bait-and-switch plumbing tactics.
The Bait-and-Switch Sewer Scam
Here’s how it typically works:
A company advertises a “special” price—say $99 or $250—for sewer rodding. Once they arrive and begin the job, they claim your sewer line is:
- Blocked by tree roots they can’t rod through
- Collapsed or broken underground
- Beyond cleaning and in need of full excavation or a costly sewer liner
Sometimes, they’ll perform a “flow restoration,” which temporarily allows water to pass through—but doesn’t truly clear the blockage. When the sewer backs up again, they use that as an opportunity to sell you thousands of dollars in repairs.
What We’ve Seen Firsthand
We’ve been called out many times by customers seeking a second opinion after one of these so-called specials. Often, they’ve been told their only option is excavation. But after our team arrives and performs proper power rodding and a video inspection, we find:
- The blockage could be cleared completely—no digging required
- The previous company either lacked the tools or the experience to do the job properly
- The homeowner was nearly convinced to agree to unnecessary work
We take pride in doing what’s right—clearing blockages thoroughly and using our advanced video inspection technology to confirm the results. In most cases, sewer excavation is not needed unless there’s true physical damage to the line.
The Importance of Equipment and Experience
Some budget companies don’t invest in the right tools or training. At Quality Plumbing Services Inc., we use:
- High-end video inspection cameras connected to a laptop interface for crystal-clear visuals
- Locating equipment that not only pinpoints the problem area but gives precise depth
- Power rodding machines capable of thoroughly clearing sewer lines, not just poking a hole for temporary relief
Our equipment costs thousands of dollars—but it ensures your sewer is properly cleaned and your problem is correctly diagnosed.
A Cautionary Tale
One customer recently called us after paying another company for a $250 sewer rodding special. That company got their cable stuck inside the sewer and couldn’t retrieve it—let alone clean the line. They didn’t have the equipment to locate the issue or perform a video inspection.
We arrived, retrieved the cable using techniques we’ve developed over decades, and performed a video inspection. What we saw was clear: the other company did a poor job and left the sewer partially blocked. If the cable hadn’t gotten stuck, the homeowner would have never known the job wasn’t done right—until the next backup.
Despite our efforts, the homeowner decided to call the original company back because he had already paid them. We didn’t get the follow-up footage, but the lesson remains: cheap doesn’t mean quality.
The Right Way to Clean Your Sewer
At Quality Plumbing Services Inc., our goal isn’t just to “restore flow”—we focus on clearing the line completely. We use:
- Proper technique
- Thorough rodding
- Honest assessments
- Transparent communication
We don’t push unnecessary repairs. We don’t rush through the job. We do it right the first time—and we back it up with proof.
Don’t Risk Your Home on a Bargain
If it’s been years since your sewer was last cleaned, if you have recurring tree root problems, or if you’ve been told your sewer needs major repairs, give us a call. We’ll inspect your system, rod the line properly, and give you an honest evaluation of your sewer’s condition.
Call Quality Plumbing Services Inc. today for reliable, experienced, and transparent sewer cleaning.
We proudly serve Chicagoland with quality people, quality products, and quality service.