There may be various problems lurking in your sewer drain, whether that’s a blockage, material build-up, or something innocuous like tree roots.
In the past, a sewer inspection would entail a lot of time, effort, and destruction of the sidewalk or flooring to gain access to the sewer line. With the aid of modern technology, sewer inspections are now more convenient and non-invasive because they are done through sewer camera inspections.
What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
During a sewer camera inspection, your drains are scoped out to detect any problems in your sewer lines. This is important to see any existing problems and emerging issues before they get out of hand.
The sewer cameras used in inspections consist of a drain cable with a video camera at the end attached to a video screen. The lights on the cable light up the sewer around the video camera so you can see everything as it travels through the sewer line. Some common problems detected can include blockages, material build-ups, and tree roots.
What Happens If Your Sewer Goes Uninspected?
A typical result of a faulty sewer is the emission of awful odors. If your drain blockage becomes bad enough, it can also cause your sewage to spill, which can become a costly cleanup.
If left uncleaned, grime, mineral deposits, and other matter such as hair can build up in your pipes, becoming a problem later. So if you live in an older home and the sewer lines have not been inspected in many years, it is best to invest in a sewer camera inspection just to be safe. This can save you time and money compared to the cost of cleaning up a sewage spill later.
How Often Should You Get Your Sewer Cleaned?
The frequency of sewer inspections or clean up can vary depending on a variety of factors such as:
- The Age of the Property: Older homes or buildings with older sewage systems need to get a sewer inspection and cleaning if they haven’t been cleaned recently.
- The Number of People Living in the Property: Homes with more people living in the property may need more frequent inspections and cleaning as these drains are used more frequently.
- Pre-emptive Practices: You can practice certain habits to prevent clogging your drains, such as attaching drain screens in bathtubs and showers and not flushing paper towels and sanitary napkins down the toilet.
Some urgent signs that your drains may be clogged and need immediate sewer repair include:
- Water draining slowly from showers, tubs, sinks, and toilets
- Unnatural gurgling sounds coming from the drains
- The drains or your basement emitting unpleasant smells
Why Should You Invest in a Sewer Camera Service?
You may opt to invest in a sewer camera of your own, but it is generally more cost-effective to hire a professional to get the job done for you. There are cheap sewer cameras out there, but they are typically only a few feet long and are not suitable for inspecting anything beyond a simple sink drain. Commercial sewer cameras used by professionals range 200 feet or more.
If you detect anything wrong with your sewer, sewer and drain professionals have the expertise, experience, and equipment to deal with these problems.
Conclusion
A sewer camera inspection is the best way to save up on the costs of an expensive sewer cleanup later. Getting your sewer system regularly inspected and cleaned can help ensure that your drains are working correctly and that you don’t have a threat of sewage spilling out into your property.
Are you in need of sewer repair in Chatsworth? You can rely on our skilled and equipped plumbers at Candu Plumbing & Rooting. Contact us today to discuss the plumbing solutions you need!