What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?

Understanding Sewer Line Inspections

Have you ever wondered how plumbers diagnose sewer line problems? They use specialized equipment, such as a sewer camera or video pipe camera, allowing them to inspect sewer lines visually. Whether you’re a homeowner or a property manager, it’s beneficial to understand what sewer camera inspections are and why they’re important in case you encounter a sewer problem. In the following, your friends at Five Star Home Services will help you make sense of our process! 

Making Sense of Sewer Line Cameras

Essentially, the role of a sewer inspection camera is to identify what’s causing a blockage in the sewer pipe or drain pipe without having to dig up your yard. This tool can remove guesswork when dealing with sewer line issues. Considering that sewer line repairs and replacements are significant undertakings, using the pipe camera inspection is crucial in preventing unnecessary costly repairs. 

A small, flexible, and waterproof drain line camera attached to a flexible cable is inserted into the sewer pipe to locate the problem area. Many sewer cameras are equipped with a transmitter that sends a radio signal to a hand-held wand above ground, pinpointing the location and depth of the issue. This helps identify the problem and assists in budgeting for the necessary repair work. 

Identifying Sewer Problems with Video Pipe Inspections

Our sewer inspection camera services at Five Star can detect various sewer line issues. The most common are: 

Pipe damage:

A sewer camera can efficiently identify damaged, collapsed, or root-compromised pipes as it follows the bottom of the pipe during the inspection. 

Root penetration:

Root penetration is a common issue, especially with clay, cast iron, or other porous pipes. Tree and plant roots can infiltrate the pipes, causing water and waste build-up, leading to blockages. 

Major blockages:

Sometimes, pipes become blocked due to inappropriate waste disposal, leading to the build-up of grease or non-disposable products. Also, the things that children often flush down the drain can cause significant blockages. 

Sewer line sagging:

If a portion of the sewer pipe starts to sag or bow underground, waste gets trapped in this section, causing blockages and disrupting the smooth flow of waste. 

Solving the Problem: Sewer Pipe Repair and Replacement

Once the sewer inspection identifies the issue’s source, you’ll have several options to address it. Those options include the following. 

Traditional Sewer Repair & Replacement

If your sewer line is sagging, bellied, or collapsed, the only solution would be traditional repair. This involves hiring a plumbing company to excavate the yard, repair, or replace the faulty section of the pipe. This method, while effective, can potentially damage concrete pathways, driveways, and existing landscaping. 

Trenchless Sewer Repair & Replacement

Trenchless repair is less destructive to your property. It often involves using a jetter system to blast out and clean clogged areas with high-pressure water. This method is particularly effective for grease clogs or non-biodegradable blockages. 

Most professionals conduct ‘before and after’ sewer camera inspections to validate the necessity and effectiveness of the repair work. 

At Five Star Home Services, we offer a variety of sewer inspection cameras for both professionals and beginners. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions; our borescope sales and service team is here to help. We’re proud to serve residential and commercial clients across Greater Dayton, Greater Columbus, and Greater Cincinnati! 

Give us a call today!