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!