Is Your Sewer Line in Order?
Maybe it’s the patch of grass in the yard that’s greener than the rest of the yard – all year long. Maybe it’s an odor coming out from under the house. Or maybe it’s the toilet backs up in the shower and or draining the bathtub backs up into the kitchen sink. Regardless of the reason, there may be a problem with the sewer line. This is where sewer camera inspections come into play.
What are sewer camera inspections?
When there are problems with the sewer line, you can’t see them because the sewer line is buried underground and under the house. To find out if there was a problem with a sewer line, plumbers used to have to dig up the lawn until they found where a break or leak was.
Today, plumbers have improved methods and techniques, like a sewer camera. Inspections of sewer lines by a camera have all but eliminated destroying the lawn. Sewer camera inspections allow the plumber to diagnose sewer line backups, breaks, leaks, and other issues with the drainage system in homes.
What is the purpose of sewer camera inspections?
Sewer camera inspections are done by snaking a specialized camera attached to a flexible cable into the sewer line. The flexible cable is attached to a small computer screen and the camera sends live pictures as it is being snaked through the sewer line by the plumber. In this manner, the plumber can see exactly what type of problem they have and where it is located. The plumber then digs up the lawn only in the area needed, instead of destroying the entire lawn.
Sewer camera inspections have become one of the most valuable tools a plumber has! It has removed that lawn destroying guesswork of sewer line issues. An additional benefit is this also makes sewer line repairs less time-consuming and less expensive.
What are the signs of a sewer backup?
The following are the top indications you may need to hire a plumber who provides sewer camera inspections:
1) Foul Odors
An early indication is when you notice foul odors, similar to mold, sulfur, or other smelly waste. Not every time you notice a bad odor indicates sewer line issues, which is why sewer camera inspections are so helpful.
2) Slow Drains
If your drains are slow, you may have a sewer line problem leading to a drain backup. This can be caused by debris, food, FOG, (fats, oil, grease), and other substances like hair, soap scum, and toothpaste getting stuck in the drains and building up. Another common problem found by sewer camera inspections is tree roots. Tree roots seek water for the tree, and if there is the slightest leak from a sewer line, the tree roots will find it and bust through the pipes.
3) Toilet Clogs Overflows
Every homeowner will experience a clogged or overflowing toilet. It can be inconvenient and gross, but most of the time you resolve the issue with a plunger or plumber’s snake. However, if the clog and overflowing become consistent, there is a definite problem that could be the sewer line. Sewer camera inspections are essential in helping a plumber find the problem.
4) Random Lush Spots Marshy Areas in the Yard
If you’re noticing a really green and lush area in the lawn, you could have a sewer line problem. Sewer camera inspections are a plumber’s best friend when it comes to finding what’s going on with the sewer line from inside the pipe.
5) Bubbling and Gurgling Sounds
When you hear strange sounds, like bubbling or gurgling coming from the faucet, sinks, toilet, or tub, the sewer line may have a crack, break, or clog.
Can a sewer camera go down the toilet?
Yes, after all, a toilet can be clogged preventing a toilet to flush. Or it can have sewage backing up into it. Sewer camera inspections can be done by inserting the camera back into the toilet and snaking the flexible cable down through the toilet bowl and into the drain.
What does a sewer camera do at a clog?
The flexible cable stops at the clog and sends images back to the monitor. This will show the plumber exactly what the problem is and how far down the sewer line. Depending on how far down the sewer line the clog is, the plumber may use their plumber’s snake to bust the clog. Or if the clog is too far down, they will dig up the yard in the precise area of the clog, then cut the section out and install a patch.
What does a plumber do when they find a break in the sewer line?
When sewer camera inspections show the plumber a break or crack, the plumber may be able to do a trenchless pipe repair. This process is done by the plumber soaking a fiberglass pipe liner in an epoxy resin. Then they thread that through the existing sewer pipe and once it is in place, the liner is inflated so that it presses against the inside of the pipe. The epoxy-coated pipeline will cure within 24 hours, and ready to do business!
The Bottom Line
While sewer camera inspections and the repairs that follow won’t be cheap, they won’t be as destructive and invasive as the earlier years of plumbing. So, are sewer camera inspections worth the cost? Absolutely because mainly, it won’t destroy your lawn! Our plumbers provide expert sewer camera inspections in Pottstown, PA. Call us at 484-366-9362 today to set up your appointment!