What are your thoughts on this Roto Rooter situation?

[Brian Knox]

I live in an area where tons of houses end up with roots in their underground pipes.

One pipe has had recurring problems and Roto Rooter is suggesting installation of an outdoor clean-out (since the house's current one is small and insufficient).

It involves excavation and the RR guy says that, unfortunately, he's not 100% sure whether the problem pipe is inside the house's footing (under the house) or outside the footing (and accessible with an excavator). He says his equipment is sophisticated and he's about 80% sure the pipe is outside the footing. But only excavation will reveal the answer for certain.

Of course, the excavating costs an arm and a leg. And it could all be for naught.

Have you faced a similar situation? Or do you have advice?

Brian