How a Camera Inspection Can Help With Drain & Pipe Problem Prevention

drains camera inspection

A camera inspection is an easy and affordable method to identify and locate any areas of concern within your plumbing system. By pinpointing the exact location of cracks, breaks, offsets, or separations your plumber will be able to focus on resolving the problem at hand, instead of replacing your entire drain or sewer line. Needless to say, this is not only cost-effective but also saves a significant amount of time. 

What exactly is a Camera Inspection

A camera inspection is performed by inserting a flexible rod with a high-resolution video camera on its tip into your drain system. Because the rod is flexible, your plumber can easily navigate the camera through your plumbing system to examine the inside of your pipes in their entirety. Your plumber can then determine the condition of the inside of the pipe and understand any existing or potential problems. During a camera inspection, radio transmitters on the camera record the depth and physical location from the surface of any defect or obstructions to accurately diagnose and solve any drain line concerns. Camera inspections take the guesswork out, so your plumbing issue will be resolved efficiently.

It is important to note that a camera inspection cannot locate an actual leak in your pipe. Camera inspections are meant to reveal the inside of your drains, not what is coming out. While a camera inspection can locate cracks and breaks which can be the source of a leak, further leak detection methods will be required to verify that an actual leak does in fact exist.

When to schedule a Camera Inspection

You can schedule a camera inspection any time you suspect there’s a build-up or a clog in your drain or sewer. Camera inspections should also be performed routinely before and after drain cleaning services, such as hydro jetting, to establish the scope of the problem and locate any weak areas in your pipes. 

A Camera inspection is also helpful when you need to locate your sewer line. If your property does not have a cleanout, we strongly recommend scheduling a camera inspection to establish the most beneficial location to have it installed, so that you or your plumber, can have better access to your drain pipes. 

New Home Purchase

Your drain system is an important part of your home. It is a good idea to request a camera inspection of the drain and sewer system, before purchasing a new home, so that you fully understand any potential plumbing issues that could come up in the near future. While many home buyers choose to get a general home inspection before closing a contract on a new property, what many don’t know is that these general inspections include checking the overall  condition of the plumbing system, most do not include an inspection of the sewer line itself. 

What this means is that a general home inspection may catch something like a leaky fixture or drywall stains that could be a sign of a leak. However, the inspection will likely omit to search for the root of the problem, found inside the drain system. If there is a problem in the drain system that has not yet created any visible signs inside the home, it will go unnoticed. This could leave you facing an expensive plumbing issue shortly after you have settled into your new home.

 Requesting a camera inspection is definitely something you should add to your to-do list when searching the market for a new home. Camera inspections are relatively inexpensive, which cannot be said about sewer and drain repairs. Unfortunately, many home inspectors do not consider the sewer line as an extension of your home, so they overlook it all together.

Whatever your specific need for a camera inspection is, call your plumbing professionals here at VIP Sewer and Drain Services where we are ready to assist you and provide the services you require! 

If you have any emergency plumbing need, simply call our 24 hour emergency service line

866.222.1753

•• A Message to Our Customers About COVID-19

Your family’s comfort and safety are our team’s most important focus. In our area and around the country, public health and safety is on everyone’s mind. We would like to do our part to ease any concerns you may have.
Here are some precautions that we are taking at VIP Sewer and Drain Services in order to continue to provide you with the best service:
Our employees are like family. We allow everyone ample time off work to care for themselves and their families in a time of illness. So, rest assured that we would NEVER send an ill technician to your home.

As part of our normal routine, all of our technicians wear shoe covers to keep your home clean and prevent any outside contaminants from entering your home. We are now making sure our technicians are wearing mask, and gloves before entering your home.
Our plumbers will also respect your space and keep a safe distance while working at your home or business.

When you call in, our office staff will be asking if anyone in the home has a fever, been diagnosed or had exposure to the virus. We need to know so that we can be proactive with our team’s response and level of protection.
We are giving our team members facts about COVID-19 and reminding them to follow simple, but effective steps to keep them safe such as frequent hand washing.

We will take credit card payments or can send you the invoice to your email with a link to pay online.
( Checks and Cash still accepted )