If you are having issues with your sewer system it can be a multitude of things, but you won’t know what is causing the issue until you have a professional come out and take a look at it. A plumber will be able to inspect things and let you know what might be causing the issue, but sometimes they don’t even know until they get into the thick of it. This can be a long and costly process because nobody really knows what to expect.
That’s why it is ultra beneficial to have a camera sewer inspection done. When you have a camera go into your sewer system, the pictures won’t be pretty, but it will give you a heads up to what is happening. Here are a few reasons why it’s highly beneficial to have a camera involved in your sewer inspection.
Determining The Condition of Your Pipes
When using a camera your plumber will be able to see what condition the pipes are in and let you know which ones might need to be replaced. Since you don’t see your pipes on a daily basis, you probably won’t know which ones need replacing until it’s too late and they have started to leak. The camera inspection will help determine the health of the pipes and potentially avoid costly damage caused by pipes breaking or leaking in the future.
Find Leaks, Damage or Blockage
Using a camera will allow the plumber to see where the leaks, damage or blockage are occurring. This helps pinpoint the situation, meaning it can be handled more quickly and efficiently. This also alleviates unnecessary digging around to look for the issue, which at the end of the day will save you time, money and yard repairs.
For a Point of Reference
Not only will the camera footage be useful in fixing existing leaks, damage or blockage but it could prove to be useful in the future should something go wrong. It can also be helpful for showing your insurance company should there be damage to your home caused by a sewer issue.
How a Camera Sewer Inspection Actually Works
Knowing what to expect makes the whole process less mysterious. A plumber feeds a flexible cable with a high-resolution waterproof camera on the end into your sewer line through an existing access point, usually a cleanout near the foundation or in a basement. The camera transmits a live video feed back to a small monitor, and the plumber walks the cable through the line, watching for anything out of the ordinary.
The camera also has a small radio transmitter at its tip. That lets the plumber stand above ground with a locator wand and pinpoint exactly where the camera is, down to a foot or two and at what depth. So if a problem is found, the location is marked before any digging starts. The whole inspection usually takes thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the length of the line.
Common Issues a Camera Catches Early
The footage tells you what’s actually happening underground. The most common issues that show up:
- Tree roots that have worked their way into joints and started to fill the pipe
- Sections of pipe that have shifted or sagged, creating a low spot where waste collects
- Cracks running along the top of older clay or cast iron pipes
- Bellies in PVC lines where the bedding has settled unevenly
- Foreign objects, anything from kids’ toys to construction debris that got flushed years ago
- Grease buildup that has narrowed the line from the inside
- Collapsed sections that tell you replacement is the only real fix
Each of those calls for a different repair. Without the camera, you’d be guessing.
When a Camera Inspection Is Worth Doing
You don’t need a camera inspection every year. There are a few situations where it pays for itself many times over:
- Before buying an older home, especially one with mature trees in the yard
- When the same drain keeps clogging and the cause isn’t obvious
- After a series of slow drains across multiple fixtures, which usually points to a main line issue
- Before any major landscaping or hardscaping work that could disturb a buried line
- After a backup, to confirm the line is fully clear before the homeowner takes a hit on cleanup
- If you’re dealing with foul odors and can’t trace the source from inside the house
The cost of an inspection is small compared to digging up a yard to find a problem you could have located in an afternoon.
What Happens After the Inspection
The video and findings are reviewed with you on the spot. Most plumbers will save a copy of the footage so you have it for reference, insurance or to show a future contractor. From there, the next step depends on what was found.
For minor issues like roots in a single joint, hydro jetting or a snake can clear the line and you’re back in business. For sagging or cracked sections, the discussion turns to whether a spot repair makes sense or if the line is far enough along that lining or replacement is the better long-term call. The camera footage becomes the basis for that decision instead of guesswork or worst-case quotes.
Why Coastal Soil Makes This Even More Useful
Homes across the Mississippi Gulf Coast deal with conditions that are tough on buried pipes. Sandy soil shifts more than denser soil. The water table is higher, especially in low-lying neighborhoods. Tropical storms and heavy rain put extra strain on sewer lines, and the salt in the air doesn’t help any exposed metal cleanouts at the surface.
For older homes in Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis, a camera inspection is one of the better ways to know what shape your sewer line is actually in. The pipes have been working through hot summers, cold snaps, hurricane runoff and decades of household use. The camera shows you what that looks like from the inside, and gives you a real basis for planning maintenance instead of waiting for a backup.
There’s a lot of reasons to have a camera involved in your next sewer inspection. You will be glad you took the extra step to ensure your home is safe and your sewer system is in good health. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line professional plumbers, look no further than ASAP Plumbing. Give us a call at 228-865-ASAP, we are ready to help 24/7!