Before you hire anyone for main sewer line stoppages and sewage backups

Ask for the CSLB license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. Check that the license is active and covers the type of work being done.

Ask to see the camera footage and where along the line each problem is. A single bad section can sometimes be repaired on its own. For a large job, a second opinion with its own camera inspection is reasonable.

The scope of work, the method, the total price or how it is calculated, what happens if the cable gets stuck or the line cannot be cleared, and who handles any permit.

Not always. Cleaning restores flow, but roots, sags and broken sections stay. Ask what the camera showed and what the plumber expects to happen next.

Coverage varies by policy, and some policies need a separate sewer backup endorsement. Photograph the damage, keep receipts, and call your insurer to ask.

Chemical drain openers should not go into a backed-up main line. Ask a licensed plumber whether any root or maintenance treatment suits your pipe material before using one.