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Sewer camera inspections have been a game changer in the world of plumbing diagnostics. Using specialized cameras takes the guesswork out of locating the problems in your sewer line, saving you money and time spent on the unnecessary and intrusive digging of traditional plumbing methods.
Understanding what sewer camera inspection involves and the problems the inspection can uncover will help you make an informed decision. With the help of our plumbing experts at On Time Experts, you can look forward to getting the most out of your sewer line inspection.
The Process of a Sewer Camera Inspection Explained
The sewer camera inspection setup consists of three parts, namely, a sewer camera, a recording monitor, and a locator. The waterproof camera is mounted on one end of a long, flexible push cable, which is slowly and carefully pushed downward into the sewer line. The access point into which the camera is inserted is usually the sewer cleanout. The plumber may also create a small hole just for this inspection.
Todays sewer cameras come equipped with high-resolution lenses, giving a sharper and clearer picture of your sewer lines interior. Advanced setups consist of powerful LED lights mounted on the cable with the camera. The enhanced illumination helps to produce an even clearer picture.
There is a recording monitor on the other end of the cable. The plumber will see all the live footage captured by the sewer camera on this video display unit. Thanks to the cables self-leveling capabilities, it will be upright as it snakes through the sewer line, making interpretation of the captured footage much easier. Our plumbers at On Time Experts have the training and experience to quickly and accurately identify any obstructions or anomalies within your sewer line. Beyond diagnostics, our experts use the feed for a detailed analysis of the state and health of your sewer system.
The transmitter helps your plumber to know exactly where the camera is as it snakes through your sewer line. A professional plumber will have the right equipment to locate the signal from the transmitter above ground. Using the transmitter to pinpoint the location of problems in your sewer line is faster and more accurate than traditional methods. More advanced locator tools can even pinpoint the depth of the sewer camera.
After the Inspection
An analysis of the footage obtained will dictate the next steps for your plumber. Deep sewer cleaning, for example, can clear blockages along your sewer line. Problems such as sewer line misalignment or collapse will stand in the way of the push cable going even further into the line. Relying on the transmitter, the plumber will mark the precise location of such sewer damage with flags or paint. Repairing such damage may require excavation, and marking the spot ensures the excavation team knows where to start.
You will get a detailed report of the issues identified following your sewer line camera inspection. In this report will be the plumbers recommendation on what to do to fix the problems and get your sewer system back in top shape. Insights from the inspection will also inform recommendations for proper sewer line maintenance that will help prevent problems in the future. Property owners are free to request a copy of the captured footage.
Common Problems a Sewer Camera Inspection Can Find and How to Fix Them
From major blockages to structural damage, a sewer camera inspection can effectively identify several problems with your sewer line. As a homeowner, schedule a sewer line inspection as soon as possible if you suspect any problems with your system. Similarly, if you are looking to buy a home, scheduling the inspection will give you a clear picture of the state of the propertys sewer system. You will have the facts to help you make an informed decision about moving forward with the purchase and what, if any, leverage you have for price negotiation.
1. Blockages
Hair, grease, paper products, some types of food scraps and more can accumulate and clog your sewer line. The camera will find out the exact location of the clog so your plumber can work on removing it. The plumber will recommend that you be more mindful and watch what you send down your drains, as this will prevent further blockages.
2. Cracked and Broken Sewer Line
The sewer camera inspection can also help to identify sections of your sewer line with dents and cracks. Sewer pipes collapse due to these anomalies can cause blockages, which may result in sewage backup. In addition to the inconvenience of dealing with the odor from the backup, exposure to sewage can be a serious health concern. Pin-pointing the exact location of the damage ensures you only need to excavate a small portion of your yard to repair the cracked or broken pipe.
3. Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots may aggressively grow through cracks in your sewer line to reach the water in your pipes. This root ingress is hard to miss on the sewer camera inspection and can cause serious sewer line blockages. Chemical treatment and using a rodding machine to cut out the roots are effective in dealing with root intrusion.
4. Sagging Sewer Pipes
Sewer lines sag over time, and wastewater tends to get stuck in the sagging sections, causing frequent blockages. If left unchecked, sagging may cause your sewer line to collapse. An experienced plumber can pick out a sag in your sewer line from the camera feed. After pinpointing which sections of the sewer pipes are sagging and on the verge of collapse, your plumber can then plan to replace these sections.
A Job for the Professionals
There is no denying that you can easily get a DIY plumbing camera from your local home improvement store. You will even have a diverse collection from which to choose. Unfortunately, these cameras wont get the job done right.
Unlike the high-quality cameras used by professional plumbers, DIY plumbing cameras will only allow you to catch a view of only a few feet inside your sewer line. Even with that, the cameras lack the features of premier-grade sewer cameras, such as auto-focusing. The amazing features and resulting capabilities of sewer cameras used by plumbers come at a price. It’s, therefore, more cost-effective to schedule a sewer line inspection with your local plumber than to buy the tools that professionals use.
Additionally, without any training and experience, you may lack the expertise to interpret the feed from the camera accurately. If you dont know what you’re looking at, you will also not know what to do with it. Mistakes during DIY plumbing repairs can be very costly, as you may end up causing even more damage to your sewer line. Professional plumbers, on the other hand, can accurately interpret the footage and make informed recommendations based on this analysis.
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection Today
Now that you know what happens during a sewer camera inspection and what issues the inspection can uncover, you no doubt appreciate why leaving the job to a trained and experienced plumbing professional is important. At On Time Experts, we have plumbing experts and high-quality equipment to tackle any sewer line inspection. We offer professional sewer line repair and replacement services you can trust.
Call us today to schedule a sewer camera inspection and for fast plumbing service in Garland, Dallas and the surrounding areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region. Our HVAC team is also here whenever you need us for cooling, heating and air quality services.
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