A sewer camera inspection, also known as a sewer scope inspection, video pipe inspection, or CCTV pipe inspection, is the most highly rated method for inspecting sewer lines. This is because of its efficiency and ability to reveal the tiniest sewer line problems in full detail.
This sewer line inspection method lets you assess the real-time condition of underground drainage systems without the tedious work of digging them up. According to Specialized Property Management Charlotte, sewer camera inspections bypass the damage and costs associated with traditional sewer line inspection methods.
Inspecting a sewer line using this method will not disrupt your daily routine because the entire process can be completed in a few hours. At the same time, it delivers all-around better results than invasive inspection methods, which are costly and time-consuming.
How sewer camera inspection works
To inspect the sewer line, the plumber uses a specialized Wi-Fi-enabled waterproof camera mounted on a flexible cable. The camera is inserted into the sewer line through an access point, such as the cleanout, and using the cable, the plumber navigates the camera through the line.
As the camera travels through the pipes, it captures a high-resolution image of the walls and contents of the sewer line. This video is transmitted in real time to an above-ground screen monitored by the operator.
When do you need a sewer camera inspection?
When buying a new home, doing a sewer camera inspection ensures that you don’t buy a house with hidden sewer line issues. This small step allows homebuyers to protect themselves from dishonest sellers who fail to disclose the true status of their home’s sewer line.
Also, a sewer camera inspection is one of the most important preventive maintenance tools for homeowners. It allows you to discover drainage and sewer line problems in your home at their early stages, so you can fix them at a low cost, before they cause serious damage.
Additionally, a sewer camera inspection helps you discover the root of sewer line issues in your home. If your drains are slow, toilets are clogged, or there is a constant smell of raw sewage in your home, a sewer camera inspection can help diagnose the cause of those problems.
What are the benefits of sewer camera inspection?
There are several benefits to using sewer camera inspection versus traditional sewer line inspection methods when diagnosing the issues in a sewer line.
- Early detection of problems
Because sewer camera inspections are non-invasive – they don’t require excavation – you can deploy this method as a diagnostic tool for early detection of sewer line issues in your home or even to preempt those issues.
- Accurate diagnosis of problems
Sewer camera inspections remove the guesswork from sewer line repair and maintenance. By letting you perform a close-up inspection of the line, you can accurately determine the nature, cause, and extent of your sewer line issues.
- Significant cost savings
Since it precludes excavation, sewer camera inspection saves you money. You save on the labor cost of digging up your pipes, as well as the cost of repairing the damage to your lawn and landscaping.
- Locate problems with ease
Because they have geolocation capabilities, the cameras used in sewer camera inspections provide the geographic coordinates of the problem sites in the line. This makes it easy to target those sections of the sewer line for repair.
Common plumbing problems found during a sewer camera inspection
Sewer camera inspections are capable of detecting a range of problems in your sewer line and drainage systems. A sample of the common plumbing problems that you can detect using a sewer camera inspection includes:
- Clogs and blockages
These are the most common sewer and drain line problems in homes. Regardless of whether the clog and blockage is caused by grease buildup, scale, food particles, hair, or soap scum, you can detect it using this inspection method.
- Cracked and corroded pipes
If your sewer line is cracked, even with hairline cracks, you can detect the problem with a sewer camera inspection. Breaks and fractures in sewer pipes from aging, corrosion, or soil shifting can also be detected using this method.
- Tree root invasion
This is one of the easiest problems to detect with a sewer camera inspection. If there are trees with invasive roots near your sewer line, periodic sewer camera inspections will help you prevent tree root damage to the sewer line.
- Sagging or misaligned pipes
If there are low points or bellies in a sewer line, you can pinpoint the location of those problems using a sewer camera inspection. Another common issue to detect with this inspection method is a misaligned pipe joint.
- Improper slope and substandard materials
If a sewer line suffers from problems because parts of it are not properly sloped, a sewer camera inspection will detect the issues. You can also detect substandard material and poor workmanship with a sewer camera inspection.
Are you dealing with sewer line problems in your home? Before trying to solve these issues, it is a good idea to conduct a sewer camera inspection to know the exact problems and the best way to handle them.