Identifying Plumbing Problems with a Sewer Pipe Camera
A sewer pipe camera looks like a snake and functions very similarly. On the tip there is a small infrared camera that transmits a video feed of the interior of the pipe. A plumber can then look at the sewer camera feed and determine what the problem is and the best method of fixing it. Best of all, the camera should indicate exactly where the problem occurs, allowing the plumber to only repair that small part of the pipe.
In the past if your plumbing was clogged, you would call a sewer contractor. The contractor would come and snake out the line, grinding any roots or clogs up into small enough pieces to pass through the system. However, if roots were in your pipes, that meant that your pipes had a crack in them, making the need for snaking out your pipes to be at least a yearly occurrence. By using a camera, you can take steps to eliminate the problem the first time it occurs.
Using a sewer pipe camera can also protect you from an unscrupulous plumber who would try to sell you more than what is necessary to fix your sewer problem. However, there have been horror stories of plumbers using someone else’s video to convince a homeowner to alter their plumbing. To protect yourself against this trickery, insist on watching the live feed from the pipe camera.
A sewer pipe camera is a helpful piece of equipment, but not every plumber uses one, If you would like to use a one to diagnose your plumbing problem, be sure to ask about one before you choose a plumber. Also keep in mind that a plumber may charge you to use a pipe camera as a diagnostic tool, making it more costly to figure out your plumbing problem.
Despite these drawbacks, a sewer pipe camera will allow you and the plumber to understand precisely what is going on with your sewer system. So if you feel as though your sewer system is constantly under repair, make the commitment to fix the problem once and for all by taking a look with a sewer pipe camera.
