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In most cases, drain cleaners will not clear a clogged sewer line, and they’re likely to damage your plumbing. Sewer lines are several inches wide, meaning any material that clogs it will need to be large. Drain cleaner can work on small clogs, but it usually won’t clear a larger one in a sewer main. Drain cleaners can also easily damage and corrode your plumbing with prolonged contact, and a clog will keep the cleaner in contact with the pipes for an extended period. Hire a professional sewer cleaner instead for a safe fix.

If used correctly and sparingly, root killer shouldn’t damage your pipes. Make sure to follow the instructions on the back of the bottle or the company’s website to avoid any unintended damages. However, when it comes to copper sulfate, it’s better to avoid it. This type of root killer can damage your plumbing and the surrounding environment.

Thankfully, it’s pretty rare to find a rat in your toilet. It’s more likely in larger cities with big sewer systems that can be feeding grounds for rats, but even then, you still shouldn’t fret. 

“I wouldn’t worry too much about rats coming up through the sewers,” Bradshaw says. “I’d say only one out of a thousand rodent customers we get actually have this problem. And of the 20 or some customers that have had this happen, they’ve all only had just one rat come up this way.”

Even with a high-resolution camera, what you're looking at on the screen may not be recognizable to the untrained eye. Your plumber should be willing to walk you through the video and explain what they found. With high-res images, bright lighting, and self-leveling technology, you should get clear, steady views of the pipes that make up your plumbing system.