The Ins and Outs: Sewer Camera Inspections

With today’s ever increasing use of technology, using water-proof cameras to inspect your drains, pipes, and overall plumbing system is a sure-fire way to identify any problems, make sure they have been corrected once the repairs have been made, and it gives you and your plumbing professional a peace of mind throughout the entire process. Sewer camera inspections are now actually one of the most popular used troubleshooting techniques of plumbers.

When Should You Schedule A Sewer Camera Inspection?

Like us, a plumbing professional should encourage you to get a sewer camera inspection with any home purchases. This gives you the ability to take a deeper look at what you are purchasing, it gives you negotiating power, and it will also bring you peace of mind on your new investment. However, even if you have been in your home for years– it is recommended to have a sewer camera inspection when plumbing issues present themselves. A backed up drain or a small leak may indicate a bigger problem to be addressed and having a sewer camera inspection will allow your plumbing professional to quickly locate and identify the source of your issue.

What Are Signs That I May Have A Plumbing Problem?

If any of these problems present themselves, you should contact your local plumbing professional and schedule a sewer camera inspection. These problems include but are not limited to:

• Foul-smelling drains
• Noisy drains
• Toilets that clog frequently
• Sewage backing up into your drains
• Slow-draining sinks or tubs
• Sewage smells in or around your home
• Frequent wet spots in your yard

Leaks, clogs, and slow to drain sinks are never a fun experience for homeowners. However, with a sewer camera inspection, you are looking at a quick way to get your home back into normal working order.

What Happens During A Sewer Camera Inspection?

During your sewer camera inspection, a professional plumber will insert a high-definition camerathat is attached to the end of a rod down into your drain. The rod is super flexible, allowing it to move through the twists and turns of the plumbing in your home providing your plumbing professional with a real-time look at your plumbing lines. This helps your plumbing professional see exactly what is going on, where, and the problem can be addressed immediately. Some of the problems your plumber may be looking to identify are a clog, signs of corrosion, tree roots, rust, or cracks. However, with any sort of inspection, your plumbing professional may end up finding all kinds of things!Benefits of Sewer Camera Inspections

There are a ton of benefits to having a sewer camera inspection and not just the obvious ones of identifying your plumbing problem. Your sewer camera inspection may:

1. Protect Your Investment
   A good idea when you are looking to purchase a home, is to have a sewer camera inspection done beforehand. The drain line is cleared and your plumbing professional is able to get a good look inside to verify that there are not any present issues. If there are, this gives you negotiating powers with the sale. It also can give you peace of mind that you are making a sound investment. On the other hand, if you are unable to get one prior to the purchasing of your new home, it should be one of the first things you schedule. The general home inspection that you can have performed is not as thorough and identifying as a camera inspection.
2. Easily Locate Problems
   Before sewer camera inspections, your plumbing professional would often have to digaround to find the source of your problem. That means unnecessary damage to your yard, to your floors, and even the foundation of your home while your plumber is on the hunt to locate the issue. With sewer camera inspections, your plumbing professional has a 360° view of your drain lines and pipes which eliminates the unknown.
3. Minimally Invasive
   With sewer camera inspections, there is no damage to your lawn or to your home. Yourplumbing professional will insert the camera right into your drain and be able to move it throughout the lines in your home with ease. There is no digging, cutting into walls or your lawn, or removal of your fixtures. It is a quick and easy way to put eyes on your problem or identify potential issues. Once the problem is identified, you and your plumbing professional will go over the solutions to come up with a repair plan together.
4. Inexpensive
   Sewer camera inspections are relatively inexpensive and due to their nature, they oftensave the homeowner money over time by quickly identifying the problem and giving the plumbing professional a strong basis to develop and execute the solution. Also, because the problem is easily identified, the plumbing professionals target their repair and are able to complete the work rather quickly. Time is money, and with sewer camera inspections, they are both effective and efficient.

Sewer camera inspections are a super helpful tool to homeowners and potential homeowners alike. Widely used for an inspection before closing, homeowners would also schedule a sewer camera when they are experiencing plumbing issues. With sewer camera inspections you and your plumbing professional will be able to see what exactly is causing a blockage or backup within the sewer pipe without digging up their yard or having to make multiple attempts at finding the issue itself. Because sewer repairs and pipe replacements are huge jobs and rather expensive, this minimally invasive and inexpensive inspection helps homeowners avoid expensive repairs without knowing for certain that their problem will be solved when the repair is completed.