Sewer line checklists

Print these and keep them by the water heater. One covers a sewage backup, others help you read camera footage and compare estimates, and the last one walks the finished job with you before you pay the balance.

Start here Sewer symptom log Print this log and fill it in every time a drain misbehaves. A few weeks of notes tells a plumber far more than a vague memory of when things started.

Hiring checklist for trenchless sewer work
Use this checklist before you sign for pipe bursting, lining or any sewer lateral replacement. Each box is something you can verify yourself.
Camera inspection worksheet
Bring this worksheet to your sewer camera inspection and fill it in as the plumber narrates. You will leave with notes you can match to the video later.
Method decision worksheet
Answer the questions below using your camera video and a walk around the yard. The result is not a recommendation; it is a list of options to discuss with a licensed plumber.
Getting ready for trenchless sewer work
A little preparation before the crew arrives makes the work smoother and reduces surprises. Use these lists in the days before and on the day itself.
Sewer backup response card
Fill in the blanks now, print it, and post it inside a cabinet door or near the water heater. In a backup, nobody has to search for the shutoff or the cleanout.
Sewer line care calendar
Older cast-iron and clay laterals benefit from a simple routine. This calendar spreads a few easy checks across the year so problems show up before they become backups.
Final walkthrough checklist
Bring this list to the end of the job. Tick each item with the crew lead before the pits are closed and before the final payment.