The biggest challenge when trying to fix the problems in your sewer line is figuring out what is going on inside the pipes, says Beyond PM. Are the lines clogged, or are they blocked? What kind of debris is inside them? Are there cracked and worn-out sections in the line?
How well you answer these questions determines the efficacy of your chosen solutions. Without clear answers, you may be applying the wrong solutions to your problems, which will result in persistent sewer line issues and increased costs.
How do you evaluate the condition of an underground sewer line? Traditionally, the only way to do this was to dig up the line and have it checked physically. But this process takes time, is highly disruptive, and will ultimately leave you with huge repair bills.
Thankfully, there is a modern method that avoids these problems. This new method excludes the tedious process of excavation. Moreover, it is faster and highly cost-effective. This new method is known as video pipe inspection. What is video pipe inspection, and why do you need it?
What is a video pipe inspection?
Video pipe inspection is a fast, non-invasive, accurate, and affordable method of evaluating an underground sewer line to detect problems. It uses a specialized waterproof high-resolution camera mounted on a flexible cable.
This cable, along with the camera, is inserted into the sewer line through the sewer cleanout and guided through the pipe channel. As it travels the line, the camera captures detailed images of the pipe channel and sends this video to an above-ground monitor in real-time.
What are the advantages of using this method?
Benefits of video pipe inspection for sewer line repair
- Non-invasive
Traditional methods of inspecting a sewer line require the pipes to be dug up. This inflicts massive damage on the areas directly above the location of the sewer line. If the sewer line runs below a lawn, you must pay for landscaping restoration in addition to the sewer line repair costs. The costs will be even higher if there is a paved surface, like a driveway, in the path of the sewer line. Video pipe inspection helps you avoid all these because it doesn’t require excavation.
- Accurate diagnosis
Video inspections eliminate guesswork from the process of diagnosing sewer line problems. The operator views the pipe channel in great detail, allowing them to see problems that are hard to detect using traditional methods. Aside from detecting the problems in the line, video inspection makes it possible to trace the origin of the problems. This allows your plumber to choose solutions that precisely address the issues in the sewer line, ensuring longer-lasting results.
- Geolocation capabilities
The specialized camera used to inspect the sewer line also provides the geographical coordinates for the problems in the line. This capability makes targeted repair of your sewer line possible; if a segment of the line has to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced, it can be done with mathematical precision. Because your plumber has complete information on the problems, the possibility of errors is nearly reduced to zero. The chances you will be forced to pay again to fix the same issue are almost nil.
- Invaluable for preventive maintenance
Annual video pipe inspection helps you stay ahead of the problems in your sewer system. These inspections let you respond proactively to the budding issues in the sewer line. Instead of waiting for problems to happen, you can find them at their early stages and solve them. This strategy lowers sewer maintenance costs and eliminates the risk of water damage inside your home due to sewer line problems. It also prolongs the life of your sewer line.
- Saves money and time
The biggest cost-saving advantage of video pipe inspection is that it does not disrupt your day-to-day life. The process can be completed in 1-3 hours, depending on the size of your sewer line. In terms of costs, video inspection also has lower labor costs. Furthermore, it saves you the pointless expense of fixing your landscaping after it has been damaged through excavation. The difference in price between the two methods is like night and day.
- Boost your home’s market value
When planning to sell your home, a video pipe inspection can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. By making the inspection report available to buyers, they can evaluate the sewer line by themselves. This step alone will help buyers trust you more because they can see that you have nothing to hide. This strategy will improve the market value of your home in the eyes of would-be buyers.
Finally, video pipe inspection is critical when repairing your sewer line. But this unique solution is not just for sewer line repairs. Deploying it for routine maintenance of your sewer line will help you reduce the problems in the system to the barest minimum.