While a sewer camera inspection may initially seem like an unnecessary extra expense, especially when you don’t know of any problem, it is actually an extremely valuable procedure that can save you thousands of dollars going forward. Not only can it tell a plumber who knows what to look for precisely what is wrong in a sewer line, but it can also help them spot situations that could become problems down the line.
Precision
What makes a camera inspection so valuable is that it shows exactly where and what a problem in a sewer line is. Let’s say some water backs up out of a sewer line into a basement. Clearly, there is a blockage between where the sewer line goes under the floor and where it connects to the main line. But the plumber often has no clue precisely where that is. Because the plumber knows how far down the pipe the camera is, they can take a measurement and pinpoint the location of the blockage.
Also, the blockage could be caused by a collapsed pipe from roots, something that went down the drains of the house and got stuck or something else. A camera shows the obstruction visually, and, from there, the plumbing team can take fast and efficient action. In the past, plumbers relied on things like odors to guess where blockages were. Modern camera inspections eliminate the need for guesswork.
Prevention
Cameras can reveal problems that are just beginning. For example, a crack in an aging tile pipe may not be causing any visible problems yet, but if it’s not addressed, it will eventually expand, and the entire pipe will collapse. If a plumber sees this coming, they can make repairs through the pipe before the whole thing collapses, and replumbing is necessary.
A collapsed sewer pipe is no joke. It can lead to water damage, unpleasant odors and the many health hazards associated with standing sewage. In some cases, water can damage a foundation, and parts of a house can collapse.
If you have an annual plumbing inspection at your home, consider adding a sewer camera inspection at least every few years. Also, if you are thinking of buying a home, have a sewer camera inspection done before you make a down payment. Any extra fee for the inspection will be well worth it. All a presale home inspector usually does is flush a toilet to see if anything backs up, so a camera can provide a lot of useful information.
Paying for a sewer camera inspection is never something a homeowner wants to do. However, it can lead to enormous savings that outweigh the cost. If you live in Newnan, GA or a surrounding area and need sewer camera inspection services, make your first call to E Dennis AC.
