The biggest question when trying to maintain the plumbing pipes in your home is how to inspect the underground sewer lines on your property. This is an age-old question that plumbers have struggled with for as long as sewer lines have existed, says Vineyard Management company.
Why is it so hard to inspect plumbing lines?
Plumbing lines are narrow, rarely straight, and often buried in the ground. In the past, the only way to access and physically inspect them was by digging down to the location of the pipes. Expectedly, this presented a lot of challenges.
Excavation is costly and time-consuming. Digging up a yard damages the surrounding landscaping, resulting in prolonged disruptions. Furthermore, because the method is based on guesswork, it is prone to errors.
But these issues are now all in the past.
This is thanks to an innovative method for inspecting underground plumbing lines known as camera-assisted plumbing inspection, sewer camera inspection, or CCTV pipe inspection.
This new method, which does not involve excavation, is the future of plumbing pipe inspections.
How camera-assisted plumbing inspections work
To inspect a pipe using CCTV pipe inspection, a flexible rod with a high-resolution waterproof camera fixed to the end is inserted into the line. The rod is then worked into the pipe, allowing the camera to view and record the inside of the pipe as it travels through the line.
A breakdown of the process looks like this:
- A small camera mounted on the tip of a flexible rod is inserted into the pipe via an access point
- This rod is maneuvered by the plumber to navigate the twists and turns in the line
- The camera is equipped with inbuilt-LED lighting to illuminate the inside of the pipe
- As it travels through the pipe, the camera records and transmits live footage to an above-ground monitor monitored by the plumber
- This video is saved for further analysis; the problems in the line are identified, their location determined, and detailed repair estimates are provided
- A detailed inspection report is then prepared and presented to the homeowner
What are the benefits of this method?
Camera-assisted plumbing inspection prevents guesswork. The plumber gets a clear view of the inside of the pipe, allowing accurate identification of problems.
Benefits of camera-assisted plumbing inspections CCTV pipe inspection
Minimal disruption
Only a small access point is needed to insert the camera. No need to dig up the yard, damaging and disrupting the entire landscaping in the process. This minimizes property damage and also eliminates substantial repair costs.
Accurate diagnosis
Camera-assisted plumbing inspection prevents guesswork. The plumber gets a clear view of the inside of the pipe, allowing accurate identification of problems. The camera’s geolocation capabilities also permit pinpoint accuracy during repairs.
Quickly find blockages
Camera inspections make it easy to find blockages in the line. Even with downstream blockages, which are typically hard to locate, using camera-assisted plumbing inspection is no difficulty. In addition to finding the clog, the plumber can identify what it is made of.
Prevents costly mistakes
Camera-assisted plumbing inspections save you money by letting you avoid mistakes that complicate your sewer line repair efforts. With this method, you know the issues you are dealing with, where they are, and the most cost-effective methods to solve them.
Perfect for preventative maintenance
Because older methods were so cost-prohibitive, it was not possible to include routine sewer line inspections in your home’s plumbing maintenance plan. Camera-assisted plumbing inspection changes all that; it provides an easy method to preemptively solve the problems in your plumbing pipes.
Does not require a permit
Because you don’t need permits for a CCTV pipe inspection, you can inspect at short notice. In effect, you are better able to respond to plumbing emergencies faster. It also means you avoid the cost and bureaucracy involved in getting a permit.
Generates essential documentation
The uses of video recordings and inspection reports from camera-assisted plumbing inspections are not limited to the repair or rehabilitation of your plumbing. The documents may be used as a historical record of your plumbing. They are also useful when making warranty and insurance claims.
Valuable for home sellers and buyers
A sewer camera inspection is highly recommended when selling your home and before finalizing the purchase of a home. For sellers, the inspection report helps to build trust with buyers. For buyers, they can be sure that there won’t be future sewer line problems in their prospective home.
Find missing valuables
Camera-assisted plumbing inspection provides the added but unexpected benefit of helping you find valuables that were accidentally flushed down the toilet. Items like jewelry and small toys are easily identified during this inspection.
Finally, the most important part when planning a camera-assisted plumbing inspection for your home is the plumber you hire. It is not enough for your plumber to have the right equipment. They must know how to correctly interpret the information on their screen.