In the past, plumbers would rely on a lot of guesswork when diagnosing and fixing sewer problems. This was mostly because they didn’t have advanced cameras and tools like they do today that allow them to see deep into the sewer lines without extensive digging. When used correctly, sewer cameras can reveal everything from tree root intrusion to damaged pipe joints, making it much easier to pick the right repair method the first time around.
Self-Leveling Cameras Provide Upright Images
When a camera goes into a sewer line, it’s connected to a flexible cable. As it goes deeper and deeper, it’s quite normal for the camera to spin in circles, which can make it difficult to analyze the footage being watched on the monitor. Thankfully, many of today’s newer sewer cameras have self-leveling technology integrated into them, which automatically keeps the footage upright as the camera head rotates throughout the sewer line. This simplifies the process for the plumber.
LED Lights Significantly Enhance Image Clarity
One of the biggest drawbacks of using sewer cameras is that even with the best resolution, it can become nearly impossible to see anything inside the sewer lines because it’s so dark. Cameras that have LED lights built into them completely take care of this problem. The illumination makes it simple to identify corrosion, grease buildups, roots, and cracks from one another.
Pinpointing Offset Pipe Joints
The way that each sewer pipe connects to the next section of pipe plays a large role in preventing leaks and blockages. Even a small misalignment caused by years of soil movement or ground settling can result in major problems. With a sewer camera that has high-resolution imaging technology, it’s easy to pinpoint offset pipe joints. Some cameras feature built-in transmitters that let the plumber use a locating device above ground to identify the exact location of the problematic joint.
Reducing Guesswork Before Excavation
When you have a sewer line problem, the last thing you want is to spend a ton of money on excavating your yard in places that don’t actually need to be dug up. And this is yet another reason why sewer camera inspections are so helpful. Instead of digging up large areas to investigate the problem, the plumber can send the camera underground through the sewer lines to see exactly which areas need excavation. In some cases, the camera footage may reveal there doesn’t need to be any digging at all. For example, if the sewer line problem stems from a buildup of grease, simply cleaning the pipe using hydro jetting may restore proper flow without excavation.
Many plumbers will recommend yearly sewer camera inspections to catch developing cracks, root intrusion, and buildup before they turn into more expensive problems that require more complex digging. If you live in Durham, NC or a surrounding area and need sewer line services, make your first call to Harmon Plumbing.