The biggest challenge when trying to fix the sewer line issues in your home or business is getting accurate information about the nature of the problems in your drainage system, says RedStone Property Company. You may suspect you have sewer line issues, but how do you verify those suspicions?
Of course, you can try to fix the problems without bothering to identify the specific issues. The problem with this approach is that you may deploy solutions that don’t work, and you will have no way of monitoring the actual impact of your efforts.
Another way is to dig a hole down to the location of the pipes, to examine them physically, and fix them. But this approach is risky because you cannot be sure that you are digging in the right place. Also, this method is costly and highly disruptive.
This leaves us with two essential questions;
- Is there a way to examine clogged or damaged sewer lines that does not involve digging up the pipes?
- When fixing sewer line problems, do you have to resign yourself to taking blind action without knowing the actual effect of your chosen solutions?
Thankfully, there is a way to solve these two problems.
Sewer camera inspections: what it is and how they work
A sewer camera inspection is a quick, cost-effective, and efficient method for examining sewer pipes without any need to unearth them. It provides highly detailed information about the problems in a sewer line, allowing those problems to be solved with surgical precision.
The inspection uses a specialized high-resolution waterproof camera mounted on a flexible rod. The camera is inserted into the troublesome sewer line via a cleanout or other access point. Once in place inside the line, the camera is manually threaded through the pipes by a technician.
As it travels through the line, the camera captures a detailed image of the pipe channel. This image is transmitted to a screen observed in real time by the technician. The operator can manipulate the camera and make it zoom in on specific points to let him/her get a closer look.
What kind of problems can you identify with this method?
All sewer line problems can be diagnosed using a sewer camera inspection. This inspection method does not just provide mere surface-level information about the issues in a sewer line. It yields vital details about the problems inside the pipes, allowing for precise and cost-effective solutions.
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
This depends on the length of the sewer line and other factors. For residential sewer systems, it takes around 30 – 60 minutes to complete the inspection. The physical condition of the pipes and the location of the access points also play a role in the actual duration of a sewer camera inspection.
8 benefits of doing a sewer camera inspection
- It is non-invasive
Sewer camera inspections let you avoid the massive disruptions to your lifestyle that come with digging up a problematic sewer line. You also avoid the huge cost of fixing the damage to your landscaping and flooring.
- Accurate diagnosis
No other method provides the level of detail available with a sewer camera inspection. This method allows for an actual visual assessment of your sewer line problems in real time. This greatly limits the possibility of errors.
- Detailed reporting
At the conclusion of the inspection, a detailed report will be presented to the homeowner or business, along with video and still images to back up the findings of the inspection. This makes it easier to choose an effective solution.
- It saves you money
By letting you avoid costly damage to your landscaping, this inspection method helps you save money. With a sewer camera inspection, you will not waste time and money on solutions that do not solve your problems.
- A preventive maintenance tool
Sewer camera inspections can detect the early warning signals of budding problems in your sewer line. You can do a sewer camera inspection yearly to help you prepare for possible future sewer line expenses.
- Geolocation capabilities
A sewer camera inspection will not only reveal the problems in your sewer line, but it will also include the geographical coordinates for those problems. This allows solutions to be applied with pinpoint accuracy.
- Choosing effective solutions
With the information in the inspection report, your plumber can easily find the right solution for your sewer line issues. Although it is only a diagnostic tool, sewer camera inspection helps you solve problems quickly and cheaply.
- Buying a house
This inspection provides details about a home’s sewer systems that cannot be matched by a standard home inspection. To avoid future sewer line issues when buying a new home, it is always a good idea to do a sewer camera inspection before paying.
Does your home or business need a sewer camera inspection? If there are signs of sewer line problems in your building, you should get a sewer camera inspection. You should also get a sewer camera inspection if you are looking for ways to stay steps ahead of potential sewer line issues in your home or office building.