The following contribution is from another author.
Sewer problems are the worst. They are annoying, stinky, inconvenient, and pretty stubborn. Do you hear a gurgling sound, smell a foul odor from the drain, or notice water clearing after a long time? These are signs of a blocked sewer in your house.
When that happens, you should contact professional plumbing services immediately. They will identify the problem and prevent it from growing into a bigger one. One of the ways they do this is with a camera inspection.
But the question is: When to get sewer camera inspection? What is the right time to get it done, and what are some signs to watch out for? In which ways is it helpful? Read on to find out.
What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
Plumbers use a long, flexible snake equipped with a tiny camera at one end and connected to an external display screen. They insert the snake into pipes, gutters, or other sources of blockages to visually inspect the interior. This advanced technology improves efficiency and speeds up the work, particularly during a denver sewer line inspection, where accurate identification of issues is crucial.
They can also use the device for underground pipes and pipes covered in concrete or behind the walls.
Why Shouldn’t You Do It Yourself?
Most of the time, you will not have the required quality equipment. But even if you do, it’s difficult to know how to reach the blockage.
You might not even know where exactly to look. It’s something best left to professional plumbers with the required knowledge, equipment, and experience.
How Long Does It Take?
Most inspections usually take an hour, but the specific duration depends on various things—for example, the location and kind of blockage. While the main drain is easily accessible, reaching the drain branches takes time.
In What Ways Is It Helpful?
Besides saving you time and money, it ensures a speedy solution to your clogging issue. But there are other benefits if you still aren’t convinced.
It Saves You Plenty of Money
Without an inspection, the plumber might do a lot of digging, breaking, and repairing, involving high costs. There’s no way they can precisely identify the source without technological help.
Know the Condition of Your Pipes
When did you have your pipes last checked? How do you know if there aren’t any leaks or openings? An inspection will let you know about their condition, especially when they might require immediate replacement.
The Plumbers Don’t Require Permits
Alternative inspection techniques like yard digging require pre-approved permits by local authorities. Trenches deeper than five feet could cause problems to your neighbor’s property. With cameras, you can avoid all this hassle.
They Can Recommend the Proper Repair
Finding the problem is one essential part, though. A professional plumbing service will recommend the necessary repairs while informing you of the costs and other details.
When Should You Get It Done?
Now that you know the benefits of this process, when should you get it done? Here’s what you need to know.
You’ve Just Moved to a New Property
You’ve bought a new house and just moved in. The exteriors look appealing, but what about the pipes, drainage, and sewer systems? How do you know if everything is fine inside?
Even though you may initially find it unnecessary, this process will help you avoid problems later.
Gurgling Noises in Your Sink
Has your drain been making funny gurgling noises of late? Usually, there shouldn’t be any noise when the water flows. But if there’s a sound, it indicates a blocked pipe obstructing the water’s flow.
But what causes the noise in the first place? It happens when air forms around a clog, forcing it to go upwards, making the noise as it does.
Bad Smell from the Drain
Your drain shouldn’t smell bad under normal conditions. If it does, the main reason is a blockage. When the wastewater cannot escape the drainage pipes, it leads to bacterial growth, which is responsible for that foul smell.
Water Takes a Long Time to Drain
When the water does not drain away almost immediately, the reason is usually clogging. However, if the clogging is in a particular area, like the sink, the issue might be something else.
If your sink and toilets are clogged simultaneously, you should call the plumber immediately. That only happens when the sewer is blocked, and losing time might cause dirty water to flood your house.
What Can These Inspections Find?
Inserting the snake with the small camera can help the plumber find all sorts of blockages, and these are the top few.
Damaged Pipes
Pipes get damaged for various reasons like temperature, changes in soil conditions, or sudden changes in water pressure.
Tree Roots
Tree roots aren’t the first thing that crosses people’s minds when thinking of blockages. And yet, it happens more often than you think. A growing tree spreads its roots everywhere, searching for food and nutrients.
If your sewer pipe has even a minor crack, the roots will grow there too. With time, they can cause complete obstruction.
You can rely on the information mentioned above while deciding when to get a sewer inspection. Blockages, broken pipes, bad smell, gurgling sounds, help the plumber find the specific problem efficiently, without causing you any inconvenience.
