Their floor drain backs up to show the clog has returned. They had the line scoped. It's not collapsed (clay), but they may have tree root hairs gumming it up.

Anyway, other than periodic Rootx maintenance that could have been done before the problem reoccurs, what can be done by a homeowner now before calling in the big guns again?

(New pipe or relining is out of their budget for the forseeable future.) Thanks.

One is to add a 'backwater valve' to the main building drain in order to permanently eliminate sewer backups into the house completely.

The second is to add cleanouts at least every 50 feet to the building sewer which will make sewer cleaning easier.

Otherwise, the owner needs to consider replaceing the entire building sewer with plumbing materials (like PVC) that resists root infiltration.

Not always allowed since it prevents venting of the main line to the sewers in the street.

Backwater valves are also a maintenance item, usually found when the clog and flood the basement with black water.

There is a copper based product sold at any hardware/big box store, that when poured into the drain, will attach itself to any living roots and kill them. Generally, it doesn't harm the entire tree, just that portion associated with the root. Once done, the root can be cut loose with a cutter attached to a snake. This may or may not eliminate future roots from entering but will lengthen the need to re-attack the problem to 3-5 years or more. If the product is used on a regular basis, snaking would be pretty much eliminated.

Also, start in the Home Depot rental section. You will see 2 prices on the rental equipment. One is to rent, the other is to buy. The buy price is 50% or more discount than a new one.

About 6 years ago a friend needed a 100 foot snake to clear a drain. He was able to get one of the manual hand cranked reel types with all the attachments (included cutting blades) for $125.00. The new cost for it was $250.00. I went through that section myself and picked up a fantastic 3 speed motorized with reverse (roto rooter type) for 200 bucks that we use for the business. The new price for that one was over 500 bucks. They both came with full manuals, use instructions and a warranty.

Of course, they have new ones if your friend would want to opt for one.