The sewer system in your home sees the worst of everything that happens in the home. A good portion of the unwanted stuff in the home finds its way into the sewers. That’s why the sewer in your property may be your least favorite place to think about, says Evolve NV Property Management.
But as unsightly as sewer content is, when the sewer fails, every other thing that makes your home such a pleasant place to live in will lose its attraction. This is why the sewer is the very last system in your home you want to surprise you.
A sewer repair emergency will disrupt your whole life and cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. A sewer emergency is something you deal with immediately because a malfunctioning sewer can make your home completely unlivable.
But the challenge with solving sewer problems is that the entire sewer is hidden. Unlike the walls, flooring, or roof of your house, the sewer system is designed to be out-of-sight because of the unpleasant stuff they carry.
The cost of that convenience, however, is it is also not easy to see when there is a problem with the sewer system. You may only become aware of problems when they become emergencies. Sewer emergencies cause stress and cost money, and you don’t want that.
So, how do you avoid a situation where the sewer in your home surprises you with major issues without prior warning? There is a practical solution for solving that problem. The way to do it is to have scheduled sewer camera inspections.
What is a sewer camera inspection, how does it work, and how often do you need to have your home’s sewer line inspected? This article will answer all your questions about sewer camera inspections.
What is a sewer camera inspection?
Since the sewer line in your home is underground, you have no way of knowing what is going on with the pipes. The only way to know of problems is when the system fails to work properly, but even then, to diagnose the cause of the problem you may have to dig up your yard.
A sewer line camera inspection saves you from that aggravation. It provides an easy way to keep an eye on what is happening with your home’s sewer lines. Here is how a sewer camera inspection works:
- A tiny camera is mounted on the end of a cable and fed into the sewer pipes.
- As it travels through the underground channels it captures images of the sewer’s interior.
- Those images are sent via a live video feed to the plumber who monitors the process on a computer screen.
- This allows the plumber to see the actual state of your sewer line without the use of invasive methods.
With a sewer camera inspection, you can find out the following about your sewer lines:
- Where the sewer lines are located – By attaching location devices to the camera, the plumber can create an accurate map of your sewer systems.
- The materials in your sewer line –The inspection will also reveal the type of pipes in your sewer lines. This can help you be aware of potential issues.
- The configuration of your sewer lines – Without a sewer camera inspection, it is hard to know where the fittings, tees, and connections of your sewer lines are located.
- Detect blockages and slow drain – Lastly, the sewer camera inspection will show you existing issues with your sewer lines. A few of the problems you can easily detect with sewer camera inspections are the presence of sludge, clogs, or blockages; bellied or misaligned areas in the line; cracks and tree root intrusion.
When should you schedule a sewer camera inspection?
You should schedule a sewer camera inspection before and when you detect problems with the sewer lines.
Sewer camera inspections that are done on a schedule, even when there are no issues with the line, help you prevent future problems. They reveal problems at their early stages. If you do this inspection yearly, it will help you stay up to date with the real-time condition of your sewer lines.
The other time to arrange a sewer camera inspection is if you notice any of the following signs in your home:
- Bad odors – If you constantly have the smell of sewage hanging around your property, you need a sewer camera inspection urgently.
- Slow drain – Slow drains with persistent gurgling sounds coming from the drain indicate a budding issue. You need a sewer camera inspection for this.
- Spiking water bill – A sudden and inexplicable increase in your water bill is another reason to schedule a sewer camera inspection.
- Issues with mold – Leaks in your sewer line can encourage mold. If there is a musty mold smell in your home, you need a sewer camera inspection.
- Green patches on the lawn – If areas of the lawn are uncharacteristically green, you may have a sewer line leak and you need a sewer camera inspection.