Why Sewer Camera Inspection Is Essential for Pipe Maintenance

A sewer issue may arise gradually through slow drains, smells, and blockages before turning out to be a serious problem requiring repairs. In light of the fact that sewer pipes normally pass beneath the ground or behind walls, determining the cause of the problem becomes hard. Sewer camera inspection is one of the ways that you can use to assess the interior of the pipe without having to dig up the area right away. This type of inspection identifies areas of blockage, any cracks, and tree roots within the sewer lines, hence enabling you to know what is going on in your pipes.

Sewer Camera Inspection

During sewer camera inspection, a specially made water-resistant camera is connected to a flexible cable. The plumber inserts the camera into the sewer lines and views what is happening in the pipe using a monitor. 

Though troubleshooting mostly entails making a good attempt at guessing the problem, it allows the plumber to get a view of the actual problem. It is useful in identifying greasy substances, buildup of debris, cracks, misaligned pipe connections, and even tree roots within the sewer systems.

Problems that can be detected by a camera

A pipe might have problems due to various factors like age, ground shifts, or incorrect disposal of waste. Through camera inspection, the following common problems will be discovered:

• Tree root intrusion into sewer lines: The roots of trees might penetrate through the cracks in the pipes, causing obstruction in the flow of the sewage.
• Accumulation of grease and debris: Accumulation of these can cause a decrease in diameter, thus becoming vulnerable to clogging.
• Cracks in the pipe: This may lead to either leakage or accumulation of soil inside the pipe.
• Misaligned joints: Due to ground movement, the pipe sections may misalign themselves.
• Recurrent clogging: Inspection will help in determining the reason behind repeated clogging.

How is the inspection done?

The procedure starts by finding an appropriate access point like a sewer cleanout. Once the access point has been found, the plumber inserts the camera inside the pipe and views the video feed as the plumber moves around inside the pipe.

The plumber then informs the client about the findings and how to fix the issue. The plumber may decide to clean the drain or conduct hydro-jetting. Fixing the problematic area and pipe replacement could be another solution for the plumbing issues.

When is an inspection recommended?

An inspection should be recommended in cases where several drains are clogged, sewage backup happens often, there are smells coming out of the drains, and blockages occur shortly after the drains have been cleaned. An inspection can also be conducted before purchasing a property and when considering renovations of an older sewer line.

It is always beneficial to investigate a problem early in order to avoid the development of small issues into bigger ones. In different situations, it will be necessary to do something other than an inspection.

Does Pipe Lining Eliminate the Need to Dig?

If the sewer pipe is damaged but still able to be repaired, trenchless pipe lining is an alternative to traditional digging. Generally speaking, the procedure includes the preparation of the existing pipe and installation of the liner that forms a new internal surface of the pipe.

This process is not suitable in all situations; a specialist needs to make sure that the pipe can be lined.

Make an Informed Choice for Your Sewer Repair Services

Making sure that you know what the sewer problem is before making a decision about repairs can help you save time, avoid inconvenience, and even budget properly. The Jetter Pro offers all types of sewer repairs and replacements, sewer camera inspection, hydro jetting, and sewer pipe lining using trenchless technology. If you have noticed that your sewer is constantly clogging, a sewer inspection can come in handy for you.