A sewer camera inspection is one of the popular techniques used by professional plumbers to diagnose sewer backups, sewer pipe damage, and other kinds of sewer issues. What is a sewer camera inspection, how does it work and what are the signs that you need one?
What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A sewer camera inspection is a relatively low-cost method for checking your sewer line when there is a problem with it, but you are not sure what the issue is. It saves you the cost and inconvenience of digging trenches at various points on the ground above the sewer line to find the problem. A sewer camera inspection takes the guesswork out of diagnosing sewer issues.
The process works like this: a flexible cable with a camera attached to one end is inserted into the sewer pipe and fed through the line until it reaches a clog in the pipe. A radio transmitter inside the camera notes the location of the clog and how far it is below the surface. The plumber can then find and repair the affected pipe section with pinpoint precision.
Sewer line repair and sewer line replacement is a time-consuming and costly endeavor. Locating the damaged section of the pipe is a huge part of what makes the process so difficult. As Pinnacle Management explains, a sewer camera inspection helps homeowners avoid the cost of digging multiple trenches to troubleshoot a sewer line. With a sewer camera inspection, it is easy to find the problem without leaving any mess.
Signs That Your Home Needs a Sewer Camera Inspection
Slow Drains Across the Entire Home
If a shower drain or kitchen sink is not draining properly, it could be that something has fallen into the drain and blocked the pipe. However, if the problem is widespread across the entire home, you may be sure it is not being caused by a blockage in the drainpipes. It is most likely that the sewer line is blocked. This is a good reason to order a camera inspection for your sewer line.
Signs of Water Damage in the Basement
The sewer line for your home often connects to the rest of the home’s plumbing system at some point inside the basement. If the sewer line is blocked or damaged, you may find evidence of that in the form of water damage to the building’s foundation or basement.
Fluctuating Water Levels in the Toilet
The water in your toilet is designed to be at a certain volume. If the water level fluctuates, you have a problem with your sewer line. These changes in level are often easy to detect – the water may be very high one day and then fall really low the next.
Recurrent Backups and Clogs
If you find that you constantly having to deal with sewage backups, clogged or slow drains, you have a sewer problem. These are symptoms of a problem with the sewer line. A sewer camera inspection will help you detect the location of the blockage.
Sewage Collecting in the Yard
If there is an area of your yard where the ground is habitually waterlogged, it could be because wastewater is flowing from the sewer line into the ground. If the swampy area is accompanied by the smell of raw sewage, you should think about a sewer camera inspection.
If the air around your home is loaded with the smell of sewage, it could be coming from your sewer lines.
Foul Odors Around the Property
If the air around your home is loaded with the smell of sewage, it could be coming from your sewer lines. This problem is usually worse at certain times of the day when vapor from the leaking wastewater has accumulated on the property.
Uncharacteristically Green Grass
Grass that is unusually green in one part of your lawn is a sign that a damaged sewer line is leaking. The sewage leaking into the ground provides nutrient-rich water that sustains the plants. If you notice this in your yard, you should have the sewer line inspected.
Past Problems with Tree Roots
If you have had past problems with tree roots on your property, you need a sewer camera inspection to ensure tree roots are not intruding into the sewer line. Past problems, like tree roots puncturing underground water pipes or disturbing the driveway, means there is an extensive network of tree roots inside the ground. This could be a problem.
A Spike in Water Bills
A broken sewer line may also affect your water bill. An unexplainable increase in your utility bills should be investigated. One thing you should do to determine the cause of the problem is to order a sewer camera inspection.
If You Just Bought a New House
A sewer camera inspection is a must if you have just bought a new house, or you are about to buy a new house. The inspection will show you where you stand as far as the health of your sewer line is concerned. You can then decide if you need to replace the sewer line or not.