What Plumbers Look for During a Camera Inspection

But here's what property owners often wonder: when that camera goes into your pipes, what exactly is the plumber looking for? We explain in this brief article brought to you by Rooter Guard, a local licensed and insured plumbing company with uniformed and qualified plumbers.

Blockages and Their Causes

The most common reason for a sewer camera inspection is investigating drainage problems. The camera reveals exactly what's creating the blockage and where it's located.

Think about it: Years of grease buildup, soap scum, hair, and other materials build up on pipe walls and gradually narrow the pipe's diameter. The camera shows the plumber how extensive this buildup is, how much of the pipe's diameter remains open, and which cleaning methods will effectively remove it.

Toys flushed by curious children, “flushable” wipes that don't actually break down, feminine hygiene products, or other items that shouldn't be in your sewer line are easily located and identified thanks to camera technology.

Tree roots are another distinctive and concerning sight during camera inspections. Roots appear as white or brown tendrils growing into pipes through cracks or joints. The camera shows whether roots are just beginning to infiltrate or have created massive blockages.

Pipe Damage and Deterioration

Beyond blockages, cameras also reveal the structural condition of your pipes. That’s information which is impossible to obtain any other way without excavation.

Cracks and fractures are common catches. The camera shows whether cracks are hairline fractures that ought to be monitored or significant breaks allowing soil infiltration and water leakage. Our plumber examines crack locations, sizes, and patterns to assess severity and solutions.

Collapsed and crushed sections are also immediately obvious on camera. Your plumber will see the extent of collapse and determine whether it demands spot repairs or full replacement.

Separated joints and corrosion are also on the plumber’s radar. Cast iron pipes particularly suffer from corrosion over decades of use. Identifying the extent of the damage is key to determining the route forward – whether that’s repair, a partial replacement, or a complete repiping.

Improper Installation Issues

Let’s face it: Not every plumber is built, or trained, the same. Camera inspections often reveal problems that have existed since the plumbing was originally installed. Some common findings are:

• Incorrect Pipe Slope: Sewer lines need to be specifically graded to function properly. If sections are too flat or slope backward, then you can bet that waste will build up rather than drain away.
• Misaligned Pipes: Similarly, misalignments create catch points where debris accumulates and blockages form repeatedly. What seems like a chronic clog problem might actually be a structural installation defect.
• Bellied Pipes: These sagging areas where pipes have settled into low spots are not necessarily due to poor installation, but proper installation can reduce the risk. These bellies collect water and waste that never drains completely.

If you find yourself regularly calling for plumbing repair service because of blockages, then it might be time to explore the root causes. A sewer camera inspection can reveal structural issues causing these chronic headaches.

Consult a Plumber Today

When you invest in a sewer camera inspection, you're getting visual evidence of your plumbing system’s actual condition. This allows you to make informed decisions based on what you can see yourself.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need a plumber NOW, then call or message Rooter Guard to get in touch with a live representative today.