Alright, so you’re having a plumbing issue and it turns out to be somehow traceable to your sewer line. However, you’re not sure what the problem is exactly. Honestly, a sewer line problem is probably the worst and smelliest plumbing challenge any home can ever face. Your sewer line is where all the grime and solid waste, plus wastewater generated in your home passes out from your home to the municipal waste disposal system. The moment this waste starts leaking out from somewhere and stops flowing, or begins to back up into your home, you can be sure that there’s trouble.
Luckily, tracing such problems is a lot easier today than it used to be decades before. Initially, this requires massive excavation or digging of trenches in your yard to locate the drain pipes, as they are usually buried deep below the ground. However, with smart line camera inspection, it’s easier to locate where the issue is emanating from. This is why trenchless sewer line repair or replacement can be an effective method. Often less expensive, non-invasive, and environmentally friendly.
The Role of Camera Inspection in Diagnosing Sewer Problems
A sewer inspection camera is a special type of camera used for viewing the inside of sewer lines. The camera is water-proof and is attached to a very long flexible cable that allows it to be moved easily within the sewer line. Usually, the technician uses a monitor placed above the ground to view the images captured by the camera. By passing the camera through the area of the sewer line where the issues are suspected to be, it is almost seamless to carry out an accurate diagnosis of the sewer line.
The camera projects crystal clear images for an accurate diagnosis of the problem in your sewer line. They are thin enough to get inside most pipes without any restrictions. The technician maneuvers the line to get to the source. With features like zoom, rotate, and pan the camera can relay a vivid representation of the exact situation inside your sewer lines.
At N.W Sewer & Drain, we use sewer camera inspections to reveal blockages in drain pipes and sewer lines, regardless of the cause. Other issues that can be diagnosed with a sewer camera inspection include root intrusion, grease buildup, waste that is stuck somewhere along the lines, and clumps of hair. Once ascertained, these issues can be rectified using drain-cleaning technologies like hydro-jetting or drain snaking. If it’s a leaking or damaged sewer line, the technician can recommend a pipe replacement method like cured-in-place pipe relining or pipe bursting. Essentially, there won’t be any need to dig up your yard.
What Sewer Line Problems Can Be Diagnosed Using a Camera Inspection?
When the problem with your sewer line is visible, it can be treated with an easy DIY approach or by hiring a plumber to fix it at a low cost. However, if the problem is within the sewer lines, you need the help of a professional, in which case, a sewer line inspection is needed. Here are some sewer problems that only a sewer camera inspection can detect:
1. Clog Build-up in Pipes
Clogs in drain pipes are one of the most common problems faced by homeowners. They can occur in places you never expect. Grease, waste, food particles, etc., can lead to clogging build-up in your sewer line. But before recommending a solution, a sewer line inspection is necessary to determine the exact location and cause of the issue.
This will enable the sewer and drain specialist to determine which sewer cleaning technique to use.
2. Tree Root Invasion
If you have trees growing around or within your home, chances are, you might have to deal with tree root intrusion in your sewer lines. Fixing this problem can be very costly because of the possible damages and work involved. With sewer cameras, the extent of the damage and the location of the tree roots in the sewer system can be identified.
3. Broken or Damaged Pipes
A camera inspection is also useful in detecting any defects in your pipes, allowing you to determine whether they are broken, cracked, or old. If left unfixed for a long time, broken and cracked pipes lead to leakages. Inevitably, the result of this is higher water bills especially if a crack is in the water pipes. A sewer camera helps you determine exactly what you are dealing with and the cost of fixing it.
4. Identifying Collapsed Sewer Pipes
Sometimes, blockages in sewer lines may result from collapsed pipes. With a camera inspection, the technician will be able to tell if the pipe is collapsed or damaged, as well as the exact location of the collapse.
5. Detection of Sagging Pipes
Sewer pipes become bellied when they sag or descend, allowing dirt, debris, and several kinds of wastes to get trapped in the sag. This, in turn, causes further blockages. Consequently, when seals between the pipes become loose, they can leak out waste from the pipes. With a sewer camera inspection, the drain specialist will allow the plumber to pinpoint the exact location of the sag so it can be fixed.
6. Detection of Rusts in Pipes
Remember that sewer pipes manufactured from metal are prone to corrosion, which makes them weak and prone to cracks. Corrosion in drain pipes needs to be swiftly dealt with because it can spread and cause further damage to the sewer system.
Get the Right Sewer and Drain Specialist for Sewer Line Diagnosis
If your drains are backing up, your drainage is wreaking, or you observe puddles of wastewater or sewage in your yard, then there’s a high chance you might be having a sewer line problem. Your next move is to call a trained professional immediately.
At N.W. Sewer & Drain, we have a well-trained and ready-to-move team on standby. We serve Seattle and surrounding cities, including Edmonds, Marysville, Everett, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Bellingham, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Renton, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Auburn, etc., and other surrounding areas.
N.W. Sewer & Drain provides top-notch drain cleaning and sewer repair services in Seattle, and we’ve been in the business for more than 20 years. Contact us today at 206-931-7728 to schedule an inspection of your sewer line and pipes.