Buying a Home? Have a Plumbing Inspection From ScanProbe – Blog
Are you buying a home? Have you inspected the drainage system before taking the ultimate decision?
Most people do not consider the drainage system when evaluating a house’s worth. The truth is that a house may incur more costs in repairing damaged pipelines than the renovation of its exterior. It is only wise to check for problems in the house plumbing before completing the sale.
Here are some ways you can check for drainage problems:
- Toilets Don’t Lie
The toilets are the easiest giveaways of problems in the drainage system. When there is a leakage anywhere in the flooring under the bathroom floor, the toilet bowl will have discoloration or warping at its base. It might slide or wobble a bit as well. The bathroom floor may feel soft because the tiles will have seeping water beneath them. If you suspect a problem based on any of these checks, it is recommended that you conduct a proper drainage inspection before you proceed to pay for the house.
Scanprobe can help you with your plumbing inspection with its modern pipeline inspection systems that will locate any drainage problems and guide you to use the appropriate tools to solve the problems.
- The Water Metre Check
When you inspect a home plumbing system for leakages, one simple trick can save you a lot of time.
There is a water metre in every house that measures the water flow in the pipelines and generates the water bill accordingly. You can close all the water taps and valves in the house and then check the water metre. If it is moving even slightly, it means that there is a leakage somewhere in the system.
Once you are certain there is a water leakage somewhere, the next step is to determine where it is. You don’t need a plumber to find out where the leakage is. A plumber’s job only starts after you have identified the problem. To detect the leakage point, you need a CCTV pipeline inspection probe that would go down (or up) the pipelines and find out the problem wherever it is.
You should consider using one of the inspection systems from Scanprobe, especially if you are working under the sun or expect it to rain. The inspection systems have sunlight-readable screens and are water-proof.
- Water Heater Condition
Water heaters can cause significant damage to the flooring if they are not installed in the right place. Your next stop after the leakage check should be the water heater.
Make sure you check that the water heater is not too close to hardwood flooring or carpeted floors. Also, see if the water heater is installed just beside the drainage pipelines affected by the heat in the long run. The heater could become the reason for leakage as the heat slowly deteriorates the pipelines.
You should also check the condition and age of the water heater because it is too old or in bad condition. It will probably leak anyway soon and spoil all your hard work in your renovations. If such is the case, make sure you replace the water heater with a new one. You should also consider inspecting the pipelines coming in and going out of the water heater to make sure all is well for the new water heater to operate.
- Shower Power
Showers and bathtubs are very likely to get clogged because of obvious reasons – hair. Showers and their drains need to be inspected before everything else.
In addition to checking the shower drain for blockage, you should check if the shower area is leaking from the intersection of the wall and floor. If you cannot detect it with the naked eye, you can use inspection probes to find out.
Whether buying a house for the first time or the umpteenth, it is always a good idea to go over the checklist and make sure the drainage system is free of clogs, leakages, and possible collapses due to ageing pipelines and devices.
Schedule your plumbing inspection by clicking here to contact the professionals and get the work done.
Common Summer Plumbing Problems You Should Be Aware Of
With summertime and its glorious sun, the weather has become amazingly warm. You are now more likely to pack up your work at the end of a long tiring day and go to the beach for a swim or to fire up the grill. Needless to say, what you don’t want in such warm weather is to deal with plumbing related problems.
Clogged Drains
Whenever people think of heating problems in their properties, they think of the fridge shutting off or the air conditioner malfunctioning. Although these problems are frustrating during such high temperatures, they are not as costly as issues related to plumbing may be. However, there are certain ways through which such plumbing related problems may be avoided. These are:
A common problem during the hot summer, such drains build up a very bad smell after constant activity outdoors. In order to avoid such a blockage, you must ensure that none of the following is washed down the drain after an event outdoors.
- Wipes
- Food scraps
- Coffee granules
- Paper towels
- Oil and grease
These items are common for being found in clogged drains and may result in costly repairs to your drains! If you make sure these and other unusual items remain out of the sink and clean it every few days; your drains will remain clean and clear.
Leaky Pipes
Taps that are leaky in nature cause a lot of water wastage and may result in higher bills at the end of a given month. This problem occurs when pipe inspection has not been done and because of stress on the pipes, which could be due to swimming pool usage along with sprinkler and garden hose usage. Such usage may cause leakages over time. In order to avoid such a problem, try to make little use of your watermains, water your garden through the use of water butts to lower your electricity bill and lessen your stress!
Structural Damage
In the summertime, the ground underneath your home may become dry due to a lack of rainfall, which can lead to cracked pipes. UV rays and constant heat coming down on the pipes everyday may cause a lot of damage. Even though this may take a lot of time over the years, you must be wary of the initial signs of a collapsed drain and aim to deal with it as quickly as you can. Make sure to cover the pipework that is exposed around your home with insulation to make sure that the sunlight and heat from it do not cause any damage.
Clogged Gutters
It is very important to think of your gutters and their health, as poor gutter maintenance may lead to serious plumbing problems in the future. The gutters have to be completely clear and clean from any blocking debris such as twigs, leaves, and clippings of grass. This is vital to ensure that there are no blockages that may occur, causing bigger problems in the future. Thus, make sure that the gutters are cleared, either by yourself or get a professional in so that you don’t have to spend much more of your hard-earned money later. This will assist in keeping any water away from your home’s foundation.
Shower Drains Which Are Slow Clearing
Since most people enjoy going to the beach in the summertime because of the hot weather, a major impact that occurs is in your shower when you come back home. The presence of sand that you bring home may cause a blockage in the drain. To avoid this issue and to ensure the protection of your shower drains, invest in a drain cover to catch the sand brought back by everyone from the beach. Inspect your drain cover and remove any trapped debris such as hair, sand, and more to make sure that you don’t face any blocked shower drain issues during the summer.
Get It Sorted
The summertime is an ideal time to solve any problems related to drainage and plumbing as the wonderful weather allows for such maintenance to occur much more easily than usual. In addition, installations of any drainage is less likely to face any delays due to weather problems during the summer. Also, being able to fix such problems or preventing any drainage issues from occurring during the summer makes the most sense to save yourself a lot of hassle.
The most important objective for you is prevention. This refers to preventing plumbing and drainage issues during the summertime. We certainly hope that the list provided assists you in being able to enjoy your summer without any problems with plumbing or drainage.
If you’re in search of a pipe inspection system or camera, contact Scanprobe, we’ll assist you in any way we can!
Your Definitive Guide to Grease Traps
When grease, oil, and fat are poured into the sink and go down the drain, overflow and sewer blockages may occur. Overflows cause the sewage in its raw form to be spilled onto sidewalks and city streets along with storm drains, which ultimately end up in the bay or on your property. This is a major health hazard, and thus the use of grease traps and systems of support may assist in the reduction of overflows and blockages within drainage systems.
What Are Grease Traps and What Do They Do?
Such traps are ultimately plumbing devices used for grease and oil interception before their entry within the wastewater disposal system. Grease traps lower the flow of greasy/hot water, which allows cooling to occur. As the water becomes cooler, the oil and grease within the water separate from one another, which allows the grease to come up within the trap, allowing for disposal to occur easily.
The traps are known as oil management systems, grease recovery devices, and interceptors. They aim to collaborate with the internal plumbing and trap as much grease before the water enters the property’s private sewer lateral (PSL). They may differ in size as they may be big tanks placed on building exteriors or even small floor traps under a three-compartment sink. Either way, the frequency, yield, and capacity will allow you to set a daily maintenance schedule.
Why Are Grease Traps Installed?
Plumbers and restaurateurs will tell you that the maintenance of grease capture tools is not easy. It is a dreaded task within the business of commercial foods. However, it is important to understand that these tools are vital, and if they were not used, grease build-up would be a nightmare for city infrastructure and commercial property owners.
Best Practices for Grease Trap Maintenance
Property managers have to be aware of the occurrence of build-up, which is localized within grease trap systems. In particular, this occurs within the interior pipes between the sink and the trap. Both pipes have to be hydro jetted on a yearly basis. In terms of the system, it must be emptied and serviced every 2-3 months. However, it is important to note that they must be cleared every 2-3 weeks, depending on the size and usage depth of your system. Make sure to check the guidelines offered from your city and make use of their assistance to understand when to make use of services.
- Daily Disposal and Recycling:
These two functions must be responsibly managed and an efficient practice established in logging the activities. This will allow for an informed approach to receipts for all services. It will further allow for an efficient system to form. - Enzyme Drip Systems:
Such systems may be installed to assist in grease dissipation prior to its entry in the city sewer systems. Grease and drain treatment systems such as these are made to digest the organics and grease found. Think of it this way; drip systems are made use to improve drain lines and wastewater systems the same way people make use of probiotics for digestive efficiency. As the leading drain camera manufacturer, we possess expert knowledge concerning processes to help you solve your problems in relation to plumbing issues. Our drain scan can assist with prevention, maintenance, and advisement and can meet you where you choose. Make sure to have your sewer inspected to ensure there are no root intrusions, breaks, or erosion. - Schedule Drainage Camera Inspections to Monitor Grease Clogs:
A simple phone call can provide solutions to your grease-filled troubles. Your first stop is Scanprobe for a drainage camera inspection of the sewer to check its line condition should there be any backups or clog. Scanprobe also ensures that your private sewer is kept free from oil build-up and grease that escapes from the trap. In addition, Scanprobe is present to assist you in retrofitting access points and sewer cleanout fittings in the sewer line to make a clearing, cleaning, and inspecting your line easier than before. It is vital to understand that where private sewer systems are not properly maintained, the clogs may cause the public sewer system of the region to become negatively impacted over the course of time.
Thus, invest in the services mentioned and contact Scanprobe in order to provide you with an easy inspection, which will provide a vivid image of the problem being faced and how best to fix it.
Some truths about pipeline inspection cameras
Is the kitchen the heart of your home? It is the place where you share meals, bake cookies, and have awesome conversations. Well, the heart of the home definitely sounds like a great description.
What if the actual heart of your home was not something you could touch or even see?
Your plumbing team might tell you that the heart of your home, or any home for that matter, is its plumbing system. And they can prove it by making use of a pipeline inspection camera to show you around your pipes.
Buried underground and hidden behind walls, your pipes give and take round the clock to keep you and your home healthy, clean, and happy. This sounds like a fitting description for the heart of the home, what do you think?
If you have never had a sewer line camera inspection, why not? You know what’s cooking for dinner and what’s in the fridge. Don’t you want to find out what’s going on in the other heart of your home?
Today on the blog, we’re going to talk about the advantages of plumbing system inspections done Hollywood style. So take a minute and read on.
How does a drain pipe camera work?
Traditionally, if a plumber required to inspect your sewer line or drain, they dug up the whole yard. Okay, that is a little dramatic, but identifying leaks and other issues in the main sewer line required a lot of guesswork and, in the majority of the cases – digging.
Plumbing and modern technology make a great fit. Today, every plumbing team uses video technology to record and see what is going on down below.
Plumbers use a sewer video camera attached to a flexible cable to inspect pipes. Usually, they insert the cable into the main sewer line cleanout of your home. By using a monitor, they watch as the camera goes through the plumbing line.
While a Hollywood quality video isn’t what they get; they do acquire a real-time view of the plumbing system. Thus, they get a visual of the heart of your home in a non-invasive manner.
Talking of non-invasive, that is one of the initial benefits of the drainpipe camera we are discussing today.
No mess to clean up
Homeowners and plumbers love trenchless technology!
Before sewer cameras debuted, the only way a plumber could get a true picture of the sewer lines’ condition was to excavate. In case you’ve ever had a plumbing problem that needed digging, you’re aware of the mess.
Using a camera indicates the plumber just needs a little entry point. They can use various access points to insert a camera directly into the main sewer line.
There is no evidence left behind, and no ugly, long trench for neighbours to complain about. If this sounds overly dramatic to you, just try to dig a trench in your front yard and witness how long it takes for the neighbours to drop by and see what is going on.
By the way, trenchless technology is not reserved for inspections. The true advantage of trenchless technology is the ability to repair pipes without needing to dig. However, that is a subject for another blogpost.
Help to locate hidden leaks
When it comes to helping plumbers locate leaks, plumbing cameras make excellent partners.
You might think searching for a leak is not a big challenge. You follow the water, right?
While certain leaks have definite clues, others, especially those hidden under your home or behind walls, are not difficult to find. A wireless sewer inspection camera can assist your plumber in pinpointing the exact location of a leak. And they can do it swiftly.
Goes without saying, the faster the plumber can detect the leak, the better for you. Untreated and undetected plumbing leaks cost money and inflict severe damage to your home. Plus, plumbing cameras find other hidden issues as well. Looking for an inspection camera hire? Look no further than what Scanprobe has to offer. Give us a call now!
Your basic guide to a pipe inspection system
Did you know that an average household can leak up to 10,000 gallons of water? If you combine all the wasted water in the country, it amounts to 1 trillion gallons. On average, this is how much 11 million homes use on average.
Aside from a lot of water being wasted, can you imagine paying for thousands of wasted gallons you never used?
This is why early detection of leaks is important, and with a pipe inspection system, it’s more than possible. If you want to know how it works and what benefits it offers, read on.
How does a sewer camera work?
In a common setting, sewer lines are sitting under the foundation of your home. The foundation is about 4-5 inches long and is two feet above the sewer lines.
This necessitates the use of a sewer pipe inspection camera when you want to identify an issue with your pipes.
It is a long ‘snake,’ at the end of which a video camera is attached. It is flexible enough to navigate the sewer lines and turn corners with ease.
It offers a monitor aboveground with a live feed of the pipes’ state as the camera goes through them. This enables the technician to see what precisely the problem is and where it is located. As such, it is used for accurate plumbing leak detection.
For future use, the whole sewer camera system can record the video.
Pros of using a sewer camera to detect leaks
Before pipe cameras were invented, homeowners were already experiencing leaks, and plumbers were already fixing them. This means there is a conventional way to identify leaks. Then what makes a sewer camera beneficial?
- It doesn’t require much digging: Traditionally, a lot of projects involved digging the whole backyard to locate a single leak. However, with a camera, you can easily find the leak underground.
- It saves you time: Since there’s no guesswork involved, using a sewer camera is faster in identifying issues as compared to other conventional methods.
- It saves you money: Fixing and locating leaks cost more in the past because of how extensive the processes are. For example, diggings add to the high cost of the plumbing service. However, this cost is eliminated with the use of a sewer camera.
- It makes it easy to locate issues: Camera can allow you to see buildup within the rusting, pipes, and even tree roots. It can also assist you in mapping out your lines, determining the type of system you have, and seeing the connections.
When to use a pipe inspection camera service?
While plumbing leaks are difficult to detect, their symptoms are usually easy to identify. For example, if your water bill suddenly skyrockets, you might be dealing with a leak, especially if your usage has remained the same.
Another sign of a plumbing leak is a change in water pressure. The change can either be intermittent or consistent and can either be in the specific rooms or whole house. Either way, it is a major sign of a leak.
If you weren’t able to rectify a small leak in time or your leaking issue is big, you might deal with damage to the structure of your house. You might notice water stains on your wall, floor, or ceiling. Another indicative sign of a leak is bubbling on the drywall.
If you let the problem go this far, you may require thousands of dollars to solve it. This is also dangerous because it weakens the structure of your house.
Mold and mildew is another symptom and danger of a plumbing leak. It won’t be solved by drenching the house with bleach. As long as there is water leaking, mold will keep coming back.
Plus, keep your ears open because if you hear water flowing even when all the faucets are turned off, the water may be leaking somewhere. Often, you can hear where the flowing is the loudest. Please make a note of that; it will assist the pipe inspection camera crew in knowing where to check first.
Points To Consider Before Selecting A Pipe Inspection System
Often, a pipe inspection system represents a substantial investment for the majority of small businesses. In return, they provide unique marketing and diagnostic potential that may either earn or save a significant amount of money for your business. The task of selecting the right system for your needs must be undertaken with serious attention to detail to avoid any costly mistake. So, here are certain points to ponder before spending your hard-earned money.
What size sewers/drains/pipes are you likely to be inspecting?
The great divide in a pipe inspection system is between tractor pull style and push rod systems. Which style do you need?
Push rod-style systems are designed for inside pipes and laterals. As the name indicates, these systems are manually pushed down the line by the contractor. At the maximum, the range on these units is limited to 200 feet.
Generally, tractor pull systems are for municipal style, large drain pipes, and pull themselves down the line. They tend to be controlled with a computer system and joystick by an operator sitting in a specially made van or truck. They are outfitted with additional swivel heads and lighting to look up, down, left, and right. Usually, larger companies and municipalities purchase these.
Do you require a built-in recording device?
Do you need to offer proof of performance? If yes, having a built-in recording device can save you both time and money.
In addition to being a diagnostic tool, do you want to use the pipe inspection camera system as a marketing tool? Do you want to focus on the drain cleaning job primarily, or do you want to expand your focus to pipe relining or replacement? You don’t need a built-in recording device if you only need to take a ‘look-see.’ For those special instances, when you require a recording, there are add-on recording devices available from the majority of the electronic retailers that will not just work with any video device but would also be more economical.
If you need a built-in recording device, the options at this point are USB stick, SD card, and DVD. Additionally, Wi-Fi units are now available. This wireless feature easily enables contractors to use their smartphones, Android tablets, and iPads to display the video output from camera systems. By using these devices, contactors can upload and save videos to social media, YouTube, or other networks to simplify and streamline the process of data sharing with customers.
Do you want to be able to record the camera head?
The majority of the standardized and mini-sized units have built-in locator beacon that enables you to pinpoint the depth and location of the camera head while it is in the pipe. Don’t underestimate the significance of location in the overall inspection process. If in doubt, err on the side of safety and get the locator. Although many locators are fairly precise at this point, some are easier to operate than others. Try them and see.
How available is after-sale service?
During a sewer pipe inspection, you shove a video camera down a sewer. What could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty. The bad news is, repairs to your camera may be lengthy and costly.
The good news is, proper training may substantially mitigate your repair bills. We have found that there is a positive correlation between the frequency of damage to camera units and user technique. This correlation cuts across every make and size of the inspection system. For this reason, it’s wise to purchase your pipe inspection unit from a factory representative who can offer training regarding the proper use of this high-tech product. When it comes to camera systems, initial training can make the difference between profit and loss.
The availability of repair centers is another aspect of after-sale service. It is good to have one factory-trained repair center in your time zone, if and when the unit does require the need for it. If your unit must be shipped back to another country for repair, it is probably time to rethink your purchasing strategy.
Certainly, these four questions will assist you in framing the search for your new pipe inspection system. Your comfort and familiarity with certain representatives, dealers, and brands will also play a vital role in your decision. The purchase of a camera system is a big investment that will influence the way your organization does business for years to come. Take your time and make the right call.
Maxprobe is here to stay
The Maxprobe drain camera is an evolving unit that frequently being enhanced. When it was initially launched in 2015, this CCTV inspection system had a relatively standard camera head in comparison to the standard of today. Since January 2017, the camera head has been upgraded to a 44mm self-leveler, with integral Sonde inside the camera that offers traceability underground. The Sonde itself is encapsulated in the main camera body for compact design and product robustness, instead of being potted in bulky connectors or exposed to damage in a spring behind the camera head.
Currently, two frequencies are being offered – 512Hz (which has improved results in cast iron pipes) and 33KHz, a UK standard. To trace this equipment, a C-scope MXL4 is recommended as these offer the best results.
Now, a Controller Area Network BUS system is being tested, which will control many inspection and operational functions, permitting Scanprobe to explore 3D pipe mapping and scanning via, for instance, pipeline probe rods. Scanprobe is also invested in coming up with its own software with the release of mina Survey, as it has realised that premium drainage organisations are moving more into software technology when conducting an inspection survey, and are now demanding a technology level that the industry is yet to see. mina Survey has led Scanprobe into the realms of mobile app technology, in a development that links the Maxprobe camera system with a mobile device, a first for the company and drain camera manufacturers in general.
Other software enterprises like WinCan provide surveying packages that may include every type of mapping and tracking information. With the introduction of WiFi into the Maxprobe box, every survey may be carried out on-site and sent directly to the office or client via WinCan web. Scanprobe was the one to pioneer the first camera inspection system to include WinCan web and is now enjoying brilliant reviews on this cutting-edge technology. However, Scanprobe feels that this is just the beginning. It sees the future of surveying, where every pipe will be laid out on a map in 3D with every information (length, material, and size) tagged next to every run, offering water authorities a detailed layout of their waste systems. Once the information has been collected from around the country, a national waste grid system may be established. This is some way off, but the objective of Scanprobe is to offer the tools in which this may be accomplished.
Scanprobe is continuously offering the needs of its customers, and the future of Maxprobe looks awesome. Scanprobe will be pushing the boundaries of tracing, inspection, mapping software coupled with durability and reliability over the coming years, so watch this space.