There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to your plumbing system but one of the most critical – and most often overlooked – components is your wastewater lines. These lines are responsible for constantly expelling the dirtiest stuff your home has to offer, which might be why it’s the least favorite thing to think about, staying out of sight and out of mind. But, the longer you go without having an expert inspect your sewers, the more an emergency could be looming.
A wastewater emergency can be stressful and turn your entire routine upside down, often costing thousands of dollars in repairs and proving to be a health hazard. Ignoring your lines could also lead to corrosion, eating away pipes and requiring replacement. It can all be almost completely avoidable, however, with a professional sewer video inspection. Because most of the sewer lines in your home are underground, it can be difficult to tell if there’s a problem but a sewer video inspection skips the aggravation of digging to determine the condition of your pipes.
Using a flexible metal cord with a tiny camera lens mounted on the front, a sewer camera inspection can view hundreds of feet of wastewater pipe. As it travels through, it captures video and photographs of the sewer pipe’s interior, in real-time, as the technician looks at a small computer screen. It’s used to not only determine where sewer lines are located, and the specific type of pipe, but also the configurations as well, to better understand where fittings, tees and connections are located. Most importantly, a video sewer inspection is used to discover blockages, anything from buildup on the pipe wall, to massive clogs caused by “flushable” wipes and tree roots, to the tiniest holes and cracks that could quickly turn into a humongous problem.
And, when the inspection is finished, the sewer video and images can all be shared via email!
How Frequently Should I Schedule A Sewer Camera Inspection?
A drain and sewer expert should perform a sewer camera inspection on your home’s pipes at least one every year, to ensure there’s no significant buildup or looming issues like small cracks.
It’s recommended that a sewer camera inspection be performed at least once a year. Doing so on a regular schedule, even when there appears to be nothing wrong with the line, will ensure that your wastewater lines don’t encounter any major problems in the immediate future. A yearly inspection, paired with routine maintenance such as high-pressure water jetting, keeps your sewer pipes clean of any buildup and debris that might gather in there and present problems.
A sewer camera inspection is also recommended when purchasing a new home. Think about it, when you move into a new home, you have a house inspection done, so why not get a sewer inspection as well? You don’t want to inherit any hidden problems the last owner might have caused – or just been unaware of. Spend a little with a professional, save a lot down the road!
If it’s been more than a year since you’ve had your drains and sewers inspected, or if you don’t remember the last time an expert took a look at your wastewater lines, give us a call or schedule an appointment online any time – it could potentially save you from a major headache.
