Real Estate

Understanding the Technology Behind Sewer Camera Inspections

Sewer camera inspections allow plumbers to see the condition of your sewer line without digging up your property. They help determine the cause of problems such as corrosion, sediment build-up, or locating breaks. Homebuyers should consider having a sewage inspection as part of their due diligence process. Getting an inspection ahead of time can save you from expensive sewer repairs.

Root Invasion

Root invasion is one of the most severe problems affecting your sewage/drain lines. It occurs when tree roots enter through a crack or hole in the line. Once inside the pipes, they can increase and cause severe damage. This issue could result in costly repairs and sewer line failure. A plumber can use a camera to locate the issue’s source and create the best fix.

Unlike the digital cameras you might have in your home, the sewer inspection camera used for plumbing is quite large. It is attached to a rod or snake that the plumbing tech pushes into your pipes. As the camera advances, it sends a video signal to the technician’s monitor. The video shows the plumber precisely what is happening inside your pipes so they can diagnose and repair the issue quickly and accurately.

Before the invention of sewer cameras, diagnosing a plumbing issue involved extensive digging to find the source of the problem. It was a time-consuming, messy, and costly process. The plumber can provide you with an estimate for the necessary repairs and locate the obstruction or leak precisely with a sewer camera inspection. Moreover, this method is much safer and more accurate than traditional digging. It also helps prevent more costly and time-consuming issues down the road.

Sagging Lines

Your plumbing system carries fresh water to every point in your home and removes waste and sewage, all through a complicated network of pipes. If any of these pipes become damaged or break, it can result in severe problems for your home.

When a plumber uses a sewer camera inspection to examine your pipes, they can see the damage without digging up your yard. It is common for pipes to develop cracks and fractures over time. When this happens, it forces the pipe’s contents to move unnaturally, and it can cause waste and sewage to back up into your home. 

In addition to identifying broken or cracked pipes, a sewer camera inspection can spot significant blockages. These blockages are often caused by a build-up of debris sent down the pipes over the years, including paper, grease, and other junk.

After locating the obstruction’s location with a sewer camera, a plumber can remove it with less intrusive techniques like drain snakes. However, if the pipes are extra deep or other utilities are in the way, a plumber may need to dig up a section of your yard to locate and repair the problem.

Blocked Pipes

Back in the day, finding sewer problems often required a lot of guesswork. Plumbers looked for wet areas in the yard or listened for booming sounds from below the ground to figure out what was happening, but these were only educated guesses. Today, it’s much easier for plumbers to get accurate information by inserting a small, flexible camera into your pipes.

One obvious issue that a sewer camera inspection can help with is blocked pipes. Years of flushing grease, hair, paper, and other things that don’t belong in the toilet can lead to a build-up that blocks the line. These cameras can show you precisely what’s causing the blockage so the plumber can address it as effectively as possible.

More serious issues that a sewer camera inspection can help with include root intrusion and broken lines. The root systems of trees are naturally attracted to the moisture in drains and sewer lines, so they’ll grow around or into them over time. It can cause severe clogs or even break the lines. A sewage camera can let you see the extent of the problem and determine what needs to be done to repair it.

While the benefits of a sewer camera inspection are clear, it’s important to remember that these tools should only be used by licensed, experienced plumbers who follow strict safety protocols. Trying to fix your plumbing problems could lead to unforeseen consequences that could cost you more money in the long run.

Leaks

A sewer camera inspection is often the best way to find a leak in your home’s sewer line. These pipeline leaks are a significant problem that can cause expensive property damage and risk your family’s health. Plumbers can locate leaks more quickly and precisely with a sewer camera, resulting in less expensive excavation and repairs.

Many different things can cause a sewer line leak. Tree roots can infiltrate the lines; joints can loosen over time and break, or a pipe may collapse. In the past, locating these leaks was a long and laborious process of digging and making educated guesses. But now, with a sewer camera inspection, it’s quick and easy for plumbers to identify and fix the problem.

There are a few key signs that you should watch out for that indicate it’s time to call for a sewer camera inspection. These include a foul smell permeating your property, slow-draining water, and high utility bills. If you experience any of these problems, you must contact a plumber immediately. By slipping the camera into your home’s sewer line cleanout, the plumber can quickly and easily find the source of the problem and get it fixed. It can save you a lot of money in the long run!