On Fri, 04 Apr 2014 00:17:17 -0400, Judson McCranie
wrote:

chess1851On Thu, 3 Apr 2014 20:51:04 -0700 (PDT), " wrote:

How does the plumber know what and where the failure is located? Did he have a camera on a cable, or is he basing it on similar failures in similar houses in the neighborhood?

As far as I know, he doesn't have a camera. He has worked on their
system several times, though.

Well if the repair is 5000 and the camera job is 700 (total guesses)
I'd have a 3rd party come out with a camera. Just one reason, my
friend, whose clog was not even on his own property.

Of course the plumber might say he DOES have a camera and he'll use it
for 200, or much less than the third party. If I were a homeowner, I'd
want to watch, but could I understand any more than my colonoscopy?

If perchance it is covered by insurance, the insurance company might pay
in the same way medical insurance will pay for an MRI prior to surgery,
to make sure one needs the surgery. But even if they have to pay
themselves.