How Sewer Line Camera Inspections Can Detect Hidden Issues in Plumbing Systems

When trying to find and fix problems in an underground network of pipes, how do you get accurate information on the location of the damaged pipes and the extent of the problem? That is one of the biggest issues when solving problems in an underground sewer line.

Traditionally, the only way to know the actual state of a sewer line was to dig up the pipes. That means extensive excavation of the area above the sewer line, which takes time and costs money. In addition to the cost of repairing the pipe, you must fix the damage to your landscaping, explains JTS Property Management.

But thankfully, modern technology now offers a way to avoid this tedious and expensive process. By doing what is known as a SEWER LINE CAMERA INSPECTION, it is now possible to get detailed information about the condition of underground sewer lines without digging them up.

What is a Sewer Line Camera Inspection?

A sewer camera inspection uses a specialized camera attached to the end of a flexible cable. It is inserted into the sewer line, and as the cable is fed into the sewer, the camera sends a real-time video feed of the inside of the pipe to an above-ground monitor.

This feed is monitored by a professional plumber, who can maneuver the cable and camera in any direction to get a good look at different sections of the sewer line. A sewer line camera inspection diagnoses sewer line issues quickly and almost effortlessly.

In addition to letting the inspector see the problems in the sewer line up close, it is also possible to pinpoint the exact location of the issues. That helps plumbers know where the problems in a sewer line are, how bad the issues are, and the best ways to solve them.

Doing a sewer camera inspection eliminates the time-consuming and costly excavations. It ensures that plumbers do not rely on guesswork when fixing issues in your sewer line. With this inspection, you can detect sewer line problems that are usually hard to spot, such as:

  • Blockages: The right approach for fixing clogs/blockages in a sewer line depends on the type of clog/blockage. Without a sewer camera inspection, you are stuck with trial and error methods. 
  • Tree root intrusion: Tree roots that find their way via tiny cracks and leaks into an underground sewer pipe can cause chronic blockages and pipe damage. A camera inspection will reveal their exact position and strength.
  • Low areas and collapsed pipes: Frequent clogs in a sewer line are often the result of movements in the surrounding soil which can cause changes in the position of the sewer line.
  • Pipe corrosion: This is a huge problem in metal pipes. Without a camera inspection, you can only identify the corroded pipe sections by digging up the entire sewer line.

5 benefits of sewer line camera inspection

  1. Accurate diagnosis

Without doing a sewer camera inspection before trying to fix the issues in your sewer line, you will be flying blind. By providing accurate information about the nature of the problem, sewer line camera inspections help you choose the best solutions, thus saving you time and money.

  1. Non-invasive solution

With a sewer line camera inspection, you do not have to worry about additional expenses, such as the cost of repairing a damaged lawn. This method is not disruptive, and the cost of fixing your sewer issues is limited to the actual cost of cleaning or replacing the clogged or damaged pipes.

  1. Evidence-based decision making

Sewer line camera inspections take the guesswork out of sewer maintenance. Using the visual evidence provided by the inspection, you can make informed choices on the best ways to solve the problems in the sewer line. That ensures that the solutions you choose are effective and lasting.

  1. Perfect for preventive care

Sewer camera inspections help you stay several steps ahead of the problems in your sewer line. The inspection can uncover unfolding issues in the sewer line before they become major problems. Using a sewer camera inspection in this way will save you a lot of trouble.

  1. Saves you money

The overall effect of the above benefits is that sewer line camera inspections help you save money. You save money by avoiding costly excavations in your yard. You save money when you select the right solutions for your sewer line problems. You save money when you detect sewer issues in their early stages.

When should you do a sewer camera inspection, and who needs a sewer camera inspection? The best time to do a sewer line camera inspection is before you have sewer line problems in your building. The second best time is when you have a sewer line problem.

Doing a sewer camera inspection before there are issues in the sewer line will help you avert sewer line problems. Doing the inspection when you have a problem will help understand the issues better. Every building with a sewer system needs a sewer camera inspection.