A sewer line camera is now a powerful tool in the plumbing industry. We understand the value it offers our customers.
That is why we have invested in a sewer line camera to better meet our customer’s needs. Most homeowner’s do not understand that the sewer line buried underground on their property is their responsibility should it crack, break or no longer provide the service it’s intended to provide. As your home gets older, so does this sewer line. Your “sewer line” refers a pipe carrying water with human waste at atmospheric pressure.
Leaks and breaks are commonly caused by aging, corrosion, extreme temperatures, or settling or shifting of the ground. If this line fails, repair or replacement could cost thousands of dollars and most homeowners insurance policies or home warranty companies do not cover repairs. So, in these cases, we use our sewer line camera to inspect your sewer line. Here are some advantages:
Sewer Line Camera Inspection
It all starts with a sewer line inspection. An inspection allows our technicians to identify current or potential problems in your sewer line. Real time video image transmission allows our technicians to determine the condition of the inside of the pipe and understand any existing or potential problems. The images can also be saved for a permanent record. For example, you might not have a problem right now; but if and when you do, we have a record that enables us to quickly identify the problem the next time.
Value of a Sewer Line Camera Inspection
Here’s the value to you. Let’s say we identify a potential problem in your sewer line. For example, the ground has shifted and perhaps we have signs of aging. Yet, you may not have a break or major problem for another five years. This gives you ample time to perhaps find an inexpensive insurance solution to your problem. On the other hand, if your line is corroded or obstructed with sludge, dirt or other debris, we might be able to clean it with our sewer line jetter.
Here’s another major advantage of a sewer line camera inspection. We can often avoid or minimize the “dig.” The dig is an expensive and labor intensive process. Obviously, its much less expensive to the homeowner is we can clean the sewer line with out jetter.
Or perhaps we don’t have to completely replace the entire sewer line. With our inspection, we might be able to determine if the problem is localized. In that case, we can minimize damage to your property and simply replace a section of your sewer line.
In summary, we have added a sewer line camera to our plumbing services. With our camera we can better serve our customer’s needs. The sewer system is something most homeowners don’t think about until there’s a problem. With a sewer line camera inspection we can help our customers avoid much higher costs. While this article focused on residual homeowners, this service is also available to our commercial and municipal customers.
Call our office for more information or
to schedule your sewer line camera inspection:
240-222-3205
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This is the third in our series of three articles on sewer line jetting. In this article, we will describe how sewer line jetting is enhanced by cameras. We will also make some recommendations on why and when you might need a video inspection.
Sewer jetting is a pipe cleaning process that uses pressurized water to remove blockages from sewer pipe systems. At the right pressure, water can dissolve blockages, cut roots and emulsify grease. It also washes away all of the debris in your pipe leaving it looking virtually brand new. In fact, with the exclusion of a collapsed pipe, it can handle almost any blockage issue. Plus, if you continue to maintain your pipe systems regularly, it will help prevent future problems that could result in extensive damage to your property and expensive repairs.
Before a sewer line jetting service is performed, it is recommended that the plumbing professional use a sewer line jetting camera to help quickly and accurately assess the situation. But, what does this camera really do? Keep reading for more information.
Sewer Line Jetting Camera: Description
A sewer line jetting camera is one of the most important pieces of equipment that a plumber has in his or her toolbox. These waterproof cameras are waterproof and help plumbers identify the obstructions and/or damage that are preventing proper drain flow. They can also detect what may be creating repeated or occasional backups.
How Does a Sewer Line Jetting Camera Work?
This device is essentially a flexible fiber optic cable with a high-resolution camera on the end. The flexible cable helps the camera move through the pipes easily. The camera provides a real-time video image transmission that helps the technician pinpoint the specific problem. It also gives him or her an accurate picture of the condition of the pipe’s interior. Sewer line jetting cameras also have radio transmitters that provide a record of the physical location and the depth of the obstruction.
Why Should You Get a Video Inspection?
The simplest explanation of why video inspections are important is that there’s no guesswork involved. It gives the technician the accurate information needed to solve your plumbing problems quickly. But, this camera is also important because, removing an obstruction doesn’t mean that you’ve identified its cause. That is to say, cleaning your sewer line system may remove the immediate cause of a blockage, but this may only be symptom management.
Video line inspections save you time and money by helping plumbers visually identify and located problem areas quickly. They help technicians troubleshoot the real cause of:
- Built-up debris
- Grease accumulations
- Broken pipe(s)
- Root infestations
- Drainage and sewer problems
When Should I Get a Video Inspection?
A video inspection is necessary if you are constantly dealing with clogs, slow drains, and/or drain line backups. Other times to get an inspection performed include:
- After the sewer line jetting service is completed: This will provide you with the peace of mind that your sewer line has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Before you buy your new home: This will make sure that the sewer lines are problems free so you won’t have to deal with any expensive repairs and other headaches after you move in.
Please Refer to the other two articles in this series for more great information:
Sewer Line Jetting: A Beginner’s Guide
Sewer Line Cleaning: What You Need to Know
This is the first of our 3 Part series on Sewer Line Jetting.
Sewer lines are a vital component of every homeowners property. Yet, most homeowners neglect their sewer lines. That’s understandable. They’re invisible! They’re underground! They have other, more visible, maintenance issues on their property that are higher priorities. But, don’t overlook your sewer lines! All the waste water in your home passes through these valuable lines to get to the sewer system. When there is an obstruction that prevents your sewer lines from working properly, a messy, stinky, damaging and costly backup will occur. But, a regular sewer maintenance program, using a sewer line jetting system, can help prevent backups. The picture on the left is our jetter before we it got dirty.
About Sewer Line Jetting
The main causes of sewer line drain line blockages are sludge, grease, minerals, and tree roots. For your sewer lines to operate properly, all of these obstructions must be removed. If this issue is neglected, it will cause extensive and expensive damage to your sewer system. For instance, your front yard may have to be excavated to make the necessary repairs (please the picture below).
High pressure sewer line jetting is an economical, efficient, powerful, and eco-friendly way to clean your sewer and drain pipes. These water jets direct powerful and concentrated streams of water to remove blockages by:
- Decimating roots
- Flushing your system
- Removing grease
- Removing hardened scale
- Breaking up debris and sludge
How Sewer Line Jetting Works
Plumbing professionals use a flexible hose and innovative nozzles and attachments to propel water into the sewer line. Using different attachment and nozzles allows these professional to control the cleaning process and direct the powerful streams effectively. When properly used, high jets will have your drain or sewer line looking virtually brand new.
Every pipe requires different levels of water pressure to get a thorough cleaning. For example, the line that’s in the kitchen requires a water pressure of approximately 1,500 PSI to be cleaned effectively. Larger lines, like those used for commercial purposes, might require 3000 PSI or more. Other factors that affect the level of water pressure needed include:
- The material used to make the line: Lines that are made out of strong materials can withstand higher levels of pressure and vice versa.
- The material causing the clog: Tree roots will require higher water pressure than sludge or dirt. Benefits of Sewer Line Jetting
- There are other advantages to using a high power water jetting system. Two of them include:
- Pressurized water is very powerful. In fact, under the right circumstances, water jets can cut through aluminum and steel. This level of water pressure isn’t used when cleaning sewer lines but the principle is the same.
- It unclogs AND cleans your sewer lines: Rotating snakes are a temporary fix when it comes to clearing clogs. They work by making a hole in the clog to get things moving. High powered water jetting systems offer a long lasting solution because they flush your lines out and remove all debris.
- Sewer line jetting is an economical option: A cleaning performed by a sewer line jetting system lasts up to four times longer than one done by a mechanical snake. In other words, just one sewer line jetting will save you money over time.
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n summary, sewer line jetting can save you money! We would much rather perform this service for our customers to help avoid more costly repairs and maintenance (see picture on the left). We’ve had several jobs where we have had to tear up customers lawns, rent costly backhoes and spend countless hours with a large crew to get the work done right. You can avoid these more costly repairs by having us perform sewer line jetting. That’s a whole lot less expensive than replacing your sewer lines. We are here to help… give us a call!
You can read more about sewer line jetting by following the links below:
- http://www.rotorooter.com/water-jetting/
- http://www.ultimatewasher.com/sewer-jetting.htm
- http://waynesdrains.com/?services=residential-sewer-cleaning
- http://blackdiamondtoday.com/blog/hydro-jetting-sewer-lines
- http://www.plumbingprofessors.com/sewer-issues/water-jetting/
Here’s another major advantage of a sewer line camera inspection. We can often avoid or minimize the “dig.” The dig is an expensive and labor intensive process. Obviously, its much less expensive to the homeowner is we can clean the sewer line with out jetter.
