A sewer camera, also called a video pipe camera, is an efficient tool for identifying plumbing issues. Nowadays, every professional plumber uses this equipment in video inspecting sewer systems. If you have been wondering what a sewer camera is, what is its purpose, and how it functions, septic tank cleaner service professionals have provided all the information you need.
Table of Contents
What a drain inspection camera is?
Sometimes issues in sewer systems and plumbing can manifest with a bad smell or leaking but with no obvious reason and without a clear idea of the place of the origin of the problem. Usually, determining the exact place of the problem can not be accomplished without having a view of the sewer line system. However, this would consider digging into the yard to perceive the plumbs. As the pipes are usually buried around six feet underground, locating damaged pipes, or blockage would be very invasive. For this reason, the plumber uses a sewer camera to inspect and detect the exact place of the problem.
The sewer cameras exist in various sizes, and one that the plumber will use depends on the size of your pipes.
How does a sewer video camera work?
The sewer camera has a long and fčexible cable that plumbers maneuver with through pipes until they reach the point where the damage or blockage is. As mentioned before, without video inspection, finding the spot where the problem occurred will be very difficult and invasive. Therefore, a sewer camera is an effective and efficient way to find the problem and access point without having to destroy the yard.
After detecting the issue, a plumber will take a photo or video of the spot and the issue. This allows a plumber to visualize and comprehend the cause of the problem and to determine the way they will treat the problem. The camera is equipped with lightning, and the recording of the camera can be displayed in real-time on a Tv monitor.
Additionally, many sewer camera types contain a transmitting signal device that gives off the signal. This signal can be detected above the ground to target the location where the sewer camera has located the problem. As the plumber has a special signal receiver, they can point out the exact place where the camera is above the ground. Therefore, sewer cameras with transmitting signals are superior apparatus that not only can identify the place of the issue but can also how deep the problem is below the ground.
Another benefit of sewer cameras is that due to find a problem location, the camera has to move throughout almost the entire pipe system, which provides a comprehensive look and inspection of long plumbing lines. This is beneficial in perceiving the condition of the pipes and smaller issues that might become a significant problem later.
The types of issues sewer cameras can find
The common issues that drain inspecting cameras can detect:
- Broken pipes
Over time ground above and below the pipes can subsidence and shift. This ground moving can cause the pipes to move as well slightly, and the ground that pressures the pipes can cause cracking, banding, damage, or even breaking. This further causes the pipe’s backup issues and blocking.
The broken pipes consequentially cause the exposure or leaking of sewer water can further cause contamination, which can lead to disaster.
- Sagging or billowing of sewer lines
Another issue that can occur with pipes is sagging. The sagging lines often get blocked. The sewer camera can help plumbers identify the place where sagging occurred and the opportunity to fix them, preventing the pipe collapse that might happen if not reacted on time.
- Severe blockages
Even if the pipes haven’t suffered any significant damage, they can get blocked by the waste. The major cause of blocked pipes is cooking grease and paper products, but other non-disposable products as well can cause severe blockages. If they end up in the sewer instead of trash, by the time this waste will accumulate and chunk the pipes.
- Tree and plant roots
Most older houses’ sewer systems were built out of porous materials such as cast iron or clay, which are vulnerable to tree and plant roots damages. This happens when tree roots grow down into sewer pipes` cracks to reach the water source inside the pipes. This can lead to significant blockages, waste flow, and pipe bursting.
What sewer camera can not detect
Even though many sewer companies use sewer cameras as a primary tool for most sewer issues, the sewer camera itself can not detect leaks or locate the leaking point in pipes. This is due to the cameras being inside the pipe. It can not perceive what takes place outside the pipes. Also, a plumber can easily misinterpret the lines in the pipe`s material, debris, calcium sediments, and other traces of waste for cracks and damages.
Final Thoughts
The sewer camera is an efficient piece of equipment for diagnosing different plumbing issues. Besides being effective in locating the problem, it saves your yard from unnecessarily digging. It is a worthwhile tool for saving time and effort for plumbers.
