Plumbing Camera Inspections

How Plumbing Camera Inspections Can Diagnose Plumbing Repair Issues

Technological advances are reaching far and wide within daily life and sometimes, where these advances might arise, create some surprises. Take, for example, cameras that plumbers can insert into sewer pipes. Plumbing camera inspections use small, waterproof cameras and lights attached to a long, snakelike cable.

The camera is connected to a viewing screen, so a plumber can find hard-to-find and hard-to-reach problem areas. Such Plumbing Camera Inspections are used in a variety of practical spaces, but they are particularly useful for difficult plumbing problems.

Practical Uses

Troublesome Outdoor Leaks. Sewer line leaks create problems for homeowners, surrounding homes, and the local sewer utility. The wastewater is hazardous to health and safety and is smelly and noxious. Such leaks result from a broken, cracked, or collapsed pipe. An unattended leak will cause costly erosion and contaminate streams and drainage waterways. Locating the leak is key to making the appropriate repairs.

Pesky Indoor Leaks. Indoor sewer leaks are often found at pipe joints. However, since these joints are covered inside the wall, leaking wastewater can travel down wall structures and appear far from the leak source. Such leaks can also be intermittent, increasing the difficulty in locating them.

Clogged Drains. The causes of indoor clogs and outdoor clogs are often quite different.

• Sink and tub clogs are generally caused by the accumulation of hair. The hair might collect other substances, making the clog harder to remove.
• Kitchen drains often collect fats, oils, and grease. These fats enter the drain as a liquid but will solidify when they cool. A small amount of fat may coat the pipe and accumulate with successive layers. It is also very sticky and will attract other small food particles, making the clog more difficult to remove.
• Bellies or sags happen when a sewer line is unsupported or erosion removes the support from beneath the pipe. The low point in the pipe can collect sediment and oil. This reduces the area available to drain wastewater away and will eventually lead to a clog. The camera can locate the sag.
• Outdoor clogs that are not caused by oil and grease are usually caused by tree roots. Trees and shrubs are looking for two things: water and nutrients. Wastewater is nutrient-rich water, everything active roots need.

  All it takes is a very small opening in a sewer line for roots to enter. Once inside, the roots grow rapidly and will fill the sewer lines. In addition, toilet paper and grease can also collect on the roots, increasing the blockage.

The Importance of Location

Once the inspection camera locates the source of the problem, it will measure the distance from the screen to the camera. Whether in the wall or underground, a camera can locate the problem precisely. Identifying the location limits the amount of demolition and reconstruction required to fix the problem.

If possible, it allows you to avoid disturbing expensive landscaping or lawn treatment. Indoors, this limits the amount of demolition to the affected area.

Schedule Your Plumbing Camera Inspections with Doctor Cool and Professor Heat!

Let Doctor Cool help with your Plumbing Camera Inspections questions. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional Residential Plumber Contractors assist with all of your Plumbing Camera Inspections needs.