A sewer camera inspection is a technique mainly used to visually inspect the interiors of pipelines, sewer systems, and storm drains. It is commonly applied in situations where a plumber needs to determine the condition of sewer lines. A sewer line inspection can help you uncover the issues in your sewer system — whether your slow-moving drain is due to a clog in the pipes or a broken sewer pipe.
There have been questions about the effectiveness of camera line inspections in sewer repair practices. The truth is, camera line inspections may not detect all faults in your sewer system, but they’re often very helpful in solving several sewer lines issues. For instance, it can be used to detect leaks in sewer pipes and trace the origin of sewer backups in your sewer system.
In this post, we’ll touch more on the importance of sewer camera line inspection, as we consider its application, its benefits, and also how long it has been used in sewer repair.
How Long Has Camera Line Inspection Been Used?
Sewer camera line inspection has been in use for a very long time, only that it has become more prevalent in recent times. It is believed that sewer camera inspection was first used sometime around the 1970s and 1980s, when CUES, the sewer camera manufacturing company, developed the first CCTV inspection system (LIS) designed to enable municipalities and cities to access their lateral services from the mainline for the sewer camera inspection.
At the moment, a sewer camera inspection is the most preferred method for examining sewer lines. Most sewer and drain specialists engage in sewer camera inspections before any repairs. This gives them an idea of the kind of issue in your drain system and what needs to be done to fix it.
Why Carry Out a Camera Line Inspection?
Sewer and drain issues can be pretty hard to pinpoint at times. Remember that your sewer lines are buried many feet deep under your house. When something gets in the way of wastewater, say an animal, tree roots, or a clog, it is practically impossible to know the problem.
With a camera line inspection, it is very easy to see the cause of the blockage. The sewer and drain specialist uses a monitor stationed above the ground to observe the inside of the pipe as the camera is pushed through it. One benefit of this sewer repair technique is that homeowners don’t have to worry about digging up their yard in in order to find the faulty drain pipes.
Camera line inspection is useful for detecting a host of different issues in your drain pipes and for some other important functions.
What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection See?
Here are the issues that a sewer camera inspection can detect in your sewer line:
- For finding pipe bellies: A pipe belly is a section of pipe in your sewer line that has dipped or sunk in the middle, thereby creating a “belly.” The issue with pipe bellies is that they gather debris over time, leading to pipe corrosion and blockages.
- For locating sewer lines: Sewer line inspection cameras usually have a location device attached to them. With the aid of a particular receiver above the ground, the sewer and drain specialist can detect the camera and know where the sewer line runs below the ground. This way, there’s no need to dig up the ground when tracing sewer lines.
- Finding cracked pipes: Cracked pipes can be a massive problem in any sewer line. If your house is an old one, there’s a high possibility that arising issues in your drain system are related to broken or cracked pipes. Running a camera line inspection helps you confirm issues like this.
- To determine pipe types: With a sewer camera, a plumber can tell what kind of pipe you have installed in the sewer line. Whether it is PVC or cast iron pipe. This is useful when doing a replacement of the bad drain pipes.
- Sewer Line Channeling: Old and worn pipes may show signs of channeling when flowing water cuts a channel into the wall of the pipes, allowing the waste to seep through and creating openings for root intrusion. This often takes a while to happen, since it’s a gradual build-up, but whenever it does, channels can be very frustrating. And as they continue to widen, the channels will become a serious problem for the homeowner or occupants of the building.
- For locating clogs in your sewer line: Clogs and debris build up in sewer lines over time. This is often a result of a build-up of dirt in your sewer line. As the grease and wastewater flow through, they often cling to the surface of the drain pipes, restricting sewer flow through the pipe. Tree roots can also be the cause of a slow-moving drain. But a sewer camera line can detect all these issues, making it easy for the plumber or drain specialist to address the problem appropriately.
- To understand your sewer system: Sometimes, to solve sewer line issues, your plumber will need to study your sewer system. A special sewer camera makes it possible to see the tees, fittings or know the kind of pipe used in the installation.
Residential & Commercial Sewer Camera Inspection from N.W. Sewer & Drain
At N.W. Sewer & Drain, we are a team of experienced sewer and drain specialists committed to helping all our clients fix all drainage issues in both residential and commercial buildings. We typically use a preliminary camera inspection to detect sewer line issues and advise our clients on the most appropriate remedies.
Currently, we service residential and commercial properties in Seattle, as well as Marysville, Everett, Lynnwood, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Auburn, etc. For nearly 20 years, we have maintained top-notch drain cleaning services. If you are on the lookout for an affordable and reliable sewer camera inspection service, feel free to contact us today at 206-931-7728 to schedule an inspection of your drain lines.
