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Drain Inspection Camera: Why It’s the Best Equipment to Locate Plumbing Issues
Using a CCTV camera will allow you to see exactly what’s going on inside your pipes. Here’s why a drain inspection camera is the best equipment to locate plumbing issues:
Multipurpose
- Understanding: Often, CCTV drain cameras are used to inspect your pipes, thereby locating and identifying the source of a leak or blockage. Numerous things can cause clogs, for example, debris, food, and hygiene products. Numerous types of problems are presented with these types of blockages. However, a CCTV drain camera gives a drainage engineer a thorough understanding of the issue. This helps the plumber select the right tool to get rid of the blockage. Finally, the drainage engineer can advise you in coming up with a plan to get rid of future blockages.
- Accuracy: Because improperly installed or broken piping may be causing the issue, a different approach is required to address the problem properly. For example, blockages are often caused by tree roots that break pipes; by using a CCTV camera, you can precisely pinpoint the location of the problem. Because roots may sometimes be removed manually through digging up and also through trenchless technology, the drain inspection camera enables the operator to find exactly where people must start digging.
Because an issue has been identified with the pipe, be that an improperly installed one or simply broken pipework, a different approach is required in order to properly address the problem. As an example, blockages can be caused by tree roots breaking through the pipe; by using a CCTV drain camera, the operator can precisely pinpoint the exact location of the fault, and, if required, excavate the required location, rather than a larger area. Equally, if a trenchless solution is available, this layer of accuracy will be highly beneficial, saving time, effort and money.
- Recovery: A really good use of a CCTV drain camera is to help locate lost items that have fallen into the drain.
Proactive
Since pipes aren’t made to last forever, it’s important to carry out CCTV inspection of your pipes as it may reveal a small issue that has the potential to transform into a rather costly mess. For example, minor corrosion in your pipes isn’t always readily evident. However, corrosion can lead to major breaks or leaks in the future.
A drain inspection camera assists to stave off any potential damage to your pipes. With that being said, it’s inadvisable to conduct this inspection by yourself. Dealing with small issues now can assist you in saving a lot of hassle and money in the future.
Easy
Generally, gleaning information about your pipes is challenging. However, CCTV offers the experts a simple capability to record and analyze the issues in your pipes. Plus, they can see the actual problem in video. Numerous CCTVs have very powerful LED lights that offer visuals that are crystal clear.
If one has access to such detail, a more comprehensive understanding of the issue can be brought about. All this technology seems complex and is precise; a water-tight container (at the end of a pliable push rod) contains the drain inspection camera. It can be effortlessly inserted into a pipe and then threaded throughout your plumbing system. There’s no guesswork, no struggling with metal snakes, and no digging. Watching the display is all a drainage engineer has to do.
Reduced Cost
Using CCTV equipment enables experts to ascertain the precise location of a problem within your pipes. Additionally, they can do so without causing any unneeded destruction of your property. Plus, the time that used to be needed to locate an issue within a sewer system is substantially mitigated by the simple addition of a CCTV drain camera. This reduced time means you’ll have to give lower fees.
Looking for drainage CCTV equipment or a drain camerafor sale? Contact Scanprobe now!
Diving Deep Into Inspection Camera Issues
Imagine this: You’re kneeling in dry, dusty grass right beside a cleanout, pushing your Scanprobe pipe inspection system slowly down into the drain. The pushrod is a little bit slippery, but thankfully stiff; it’s flexible enough to enable you to tackle the 90-degree turn at the base of the cleanout and then coax it in the street direction. The lawn seems to be enormous. The customers’ drains and toilets back up almost every time it rains, and you’ve confirmed that everything between the cleanout and the house is flowing normally. Under the lawn lies your problem, and it’s certain to involve a leaking or broken pipe.
It occurs to you that you’re propelling a video camera into what’s certainly a damaged sewer pipe. What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out, plenty.
While this imaginary scenario seems relatively controlled and safe in comparison to certain camera applications that we’ve heard about over the years, contractors damage their drain inspection systems in similar scenarios on a daily basis. It is simple to do and costly to correct, so let’s discuss the three most usual suspects and witness what we can learn.
Wearing the pushrod on the sewer entry
The pushrod itself is comprised of some tough and durable materials, designed to handle the tough terrain that comes with sewer inspection, so you needn’t treat it like your grandma’s fine china. Equally, it will eventually wear down to the data-carrying wires inside, and when that happens you can expect your camera system to be out of action whilst it is being re-ended. So take a little care where you can. When entering a pipeline at a harsh angle, try positioning a spare piece of pipe into the pipeline entry to soften the entry angle and stop the pushrod from rubbing & wearing on the top edge. Placing a piece of un-used liner over this section of the entry point will also reduce the wear & tear on the rod and enhance the lifespan of your drain camera.
Kinking the pushrod while you thrust it into the pipe
Numerous camera repair centers report that kinks usually occur in the first few feet of the push rod. This can happen when the pushrod is inserted with excess force, especially when there is a blockage or a tight bend to navigate. It may also happen when the operator tries to stand, instead of crouch or kneel beside the drain opening. If you allow it too much room to roam, the pushrod may bow out and kink right before your eyes.
This would be both expensive and embarrassing. Based on the severity of the problem and the brand, a re-termination on a standard pushrod can be costly, as it takes your camera system out of operation whilst it is being repaired.
Our advice is: Slow down, keep your hands low, and as close to the drain as you can. Watch where you’re going and use fast, short motions to get around a blend. Focus!
Damaging the camera head
The camera head is one of the more expensive parts of the pipe inspection system, and often the most vulnerable. The majority of damaged camera heads that arrive at repair centers have a light ring or a cracked lens cover, presumably the consequence of being used as tremendously costly battering rams. The video camera in your pipe inspection system isn’t much different from the one that you used to record the wedding of your eldest cousin. The guts are the same, but it may have been sealed in a stainless steel protective case behind a cap cover of sapphire lens. The LED lights are hidden behind thick glass, and the whole thing is either epoxied or pipe threaded to the end of the pushrod, so it’s sealed up like a tomb in Egypt. While this sounds impressive, all of that is no defense for a drain cleaner who is overly enthusiastic and keen to both identify and clear the blockage with the camera, rather than a more appropriate tool.
Our advice is, don’t use your pipe inspection system as a drain cleaner. You have other tools in your truck that are much less expensive to repair and are much better suited for that task. Don’t blink your eyes when looking at the monitor. If the camera head is approaching a foreign object, a break in the pipe, or is underwater, approach with caution and complete your survey as best you can so you can diagnose the problem. Pay attention, be careful.
Besides these two calamities, are there other ways to damage your camera system? Well, of course. From accidentally getting the camera head stuck in the pipe to kinking the pushrod a hundred feet down the line, there are a plethora of problems that can pop up in the life of a camera system. However, tackling the above will substantially lessen the odds of having a mishap related to the camera ruin your day.
Over the years, we’ve noticed that certain contractors rarely see their camera systems go down for repair, while others seem specifically hard on them. The majority of plumbers and cleaners lie in the middle range, experiencing occasional problems. The important takeaway here is that repair centers see a coherent association between frequency and technique of repairs. Live and learn!
Whether you’re looking for drain cameras for sale or want a drain camera for rent, let Scanprobe know!
CCTV Drain Camera Inspection: Reasons to Conduct Them
Most people, as part of your daily routine, wake up in the morning and head straight to the bathroom. But, after no. 2, what if you find out that the toilet isn’t flushing? What do you do now? Do you:
- Use a plungerinside the toilet and see if that takes care of the blockage? Or
- Leave it as it is, figuring it will flush after some time?
At Scanprobe, we won’t be doing any of the above. It’s recommended that you get a professional drainage engineer to perform a CCTV drain camera inspection.
Yes, this may seem like an extreme way of handling a first-time blockage, but the reality is that before the blockage manifested itself, numerous insoluble items had travelled down the drain; totally getting rid of the junk isn’t always easy.
But then how do CCTV pipeline inspections provide a long-lasting solution to this problem, which seems so simple to solve? Well, read on. Here is a description of how the process works and the advantages of the pipeline inspection.
CCTV Sewer Line Inspection: The Process
When identifying and repairing a broken sewer pipe, the first step is figuring out where the damage is mainly located. During this process, the professionals insert the equipment through the sewer pipe and record the whole pipe’s state. By finding out the exact location of the damage, the repair process is simplified in the following ways:
- Eliminate irrelevant digging and guessing:
Many people think that digging a trench in their driveway to find the location of a blockage is a simple procedure. Initially, this process seems easy until the simple opening transforms into a trench that spans almost the entire driveway, and the plumber still has no clue on the location of the blockage. A certified drainage engineer, armed with a pipeline inspection camera from Scanprobe makes the process simple because they insert the sewer camera in the sewer pipe’s open end to determine where the problem is. By using the drain camera, you’ll be saved from having to explain to your neighbor why there’s dug up dirt all over your yard.
- Get a dependable reference video with CCTV pipeline inspections:
There are certain situations where you’ll need some form of evidence of the actual damage to get assistance. For example, if you have some insurance coverage on your property and think sewer damages need repair evidence, video evidence will help you make a claim. The CCTV drain camera will offer an exact, clear picture of the condition of your pipe, in contrast to a rough guess. Often, guessing leads to underestimating the extent of the damage and the repair cost that makes the repair process quite complex. This is where the value of a professional drainage engineer will shine through, as they a perform a clear and concise CCTV drainage survey for you with a Scanprobe sewer camera.
- Easily determine the pipes’ condition:
Thinking about buying a new home? Or have you already bought one, but aren’t exactly sure about the condition of the sewer system? Of course, trying and digging up around the home to determine whether the drainage is in perfect condition would make very little sense. In this situation, the use of CCTV cameras is the most non-intrusive and easiest way to determine your pipes’ condition. The inspection will assist in finding problems like:
- Pipes that may collapse at any moment
- Corrosion damaged pipes
- Blocked pipes
- Intrusions like tree roots
Knowing that the drainage system to your new home as loopholes assists in getting the appropriate repairs before it becomes an emergency.
What to Expect From a Drain Inspection Camera
Often, it’s not difficult to find out when there is a problem with your sewage system, like if there is a gurgling sound coming from one of your drains or toilets. However, it may be horribly evident that there’s disgusting, raw sewage coming back up the drains. While finding out that there’s a problem can be quite simple, figuring out the precise cause of the problem can be a far more painstaking process.
Next time you witness a sewer blockage, ensure you ask about available options in video camera sewer line inspections. These waterproof cameras are fed through the area that requires inspection. Each is attached at the end of a flexible rod. It offers information in real-time since the camera is streaming a live feed that your plumber will be having a look at on a video monitor. If these plumbing problems happen at your business, you can keep a permanent video file of the sewer pipe inspection as part of your record, too (for insurance).
When a drain camera inspection does becomes necessary?
Your sewer solutions specialist or plumbing professional will most likely recommend a camera sewer line inspection if you’ve come across repeated backups in your sewer line or if they feel something odd while using a cable machine to clean the line. However, irrespective of whether this is your first sewer problem or tenth, camera inspections can go a long way in discovering every type of pipe problem usually found in your home or business. So whether a root mass has obstructed the flow in your sewer system, or if a sewer pipe has begun to collapse due to old age, a section is misaligned, or if a sewer pipe is damaged, a camera sewer line inspection will reveal the issue.
Why use a camera?
It’s a good idea to use an inspection camera because it allows your plumber to pinpoint the precise location of the problem.
The two main arguments for using this advanced technology in plumbing both benefit the customer. The first reason is to save time in fixing a plumbing issue. When you have a problem with your pipes, especially in the sewage system, surely you don’t want to delay the repair process. Delays can’t just be inconvenient, but prolonged problems in plumbing may cause additional damage to the building of your house or business. Another big argument for using a camera is to save you money on sewer line repair. Identifying the problem correctly will assist your plumber in coming up with the cheapest (and most efficient) way to fix your sewer blockage and get your plumbing flowing appropriately again. Additionally, by running a camera through your pipes, your professional plumber will be able to identify the precise location of the issue, which prevents unneeded excavation. If you’re on the verge of buying a new home, it’s a decent idea to have a video sewer line inspection carried out to check out the plumbing before you close on the property.
Looking for a WinCan drain camera survey? Give Scanprobe a call now!
Drain Inspection Camera System: Which One Is Right For You?
If you want your plumbing systems to function correctly, sewer channels need to be free of obstructions and buildup. This way, the wastewater can be taken away from residential and commercial buildings. Unluckily, there are channels within the comprehensive sewer network that aren’t accessible to expert plumbing contractors or city employees like yourself.
Advanced sewer cameras should be used to inspect pipes; to see where the buildup lies. These applications may be fed through both small and large pipes and show you just what you’re dealing with in high definition. Although it may sound as if drainage camera systems are one-size-fits-all, that isn’t always the case. With numerous types of inspection cameras to select from, it’s important to understand which models are ideal for the type of setting that you work in. Please read this blog and learn how you can differentiate between various options.
Small video nozzles for easy problem assessment and portability
If portability is a big worry and you want to evaluate a job without needing to have your crew by your side, an investment in a video nozzle can be wise. This is mainly for jetters who want to see what they’re jetting before they report to the site to do the work. It may also be used to find out the source of a particular problem, to evaluate if other pipe maintenance is required, and to understand what hazards may be present. Since it’s easily portable and small, it can be carried on any truck. However, you’ll need to review the footage later on a tablet or computer.
The camera system on wheels
Crawlers, which are also known as mobile drainage camera systems, are essentially the RC car of sewage camera inspection systems. If you’re frequently performing repairs or jetting pipes deep in complex sewage systems, wheeled sewer cameras may be a very good choice. They aren’t just fun to operate but are also equipped with HD video cameras and on-board sensors that make it possible to discover problems that are difficult to identify without requiring a CCU.
Push cameras for inspection with the smallest pipes in the network
Small-sized pipes are vulnerable to clogs. If you document, record, and view the conditions of a small pipe, a push camera inspection system will be perfect. While it resembles a garden hose, it’s equipped with video capabilities and internal memory, allowing you to see what you’re dealing with in real-time. Selecting a camera system that will be practical for the work that you take on is vital. If you’re still confused, you can always ask for assistance from respected sewer equipment vendors, a decent drain camera manufacturer like Scanprobe.
Open Cut Trench Excavation: When Does It Become the Only Option?
The method of open cut trench excavation has been the most common, conventional method for sewer lateral replacement or repair. This method consists of excavating a trench for manually installing every piece of pipe. This kind of sewer work is applicable to heavy root blockages, severely broken pipes, and collapsed pipes.
On average, the open trench method is costlier than trenchless sewer repair since it needs more restoration, excavation, and time to complete. Plus, open trench excavation may require the removal of street and sidewalk pavement access, which also increases the repair cost. In spite of the expenses that come with open trench excavation, there are examples where it’s the only option over trenchless sewer repair. Below, we shed light on some of the reasons why a company may have to open trench at a specific location.
When Open Trench Excavation Becomes a Necessity?
This method is used for one of the following reasons:
It’s Impossible to Pull Through a New Sewer Pipe:
This reason for open trench excavation is mainly about the mechanics in performing trenchless sewer work. In a few instances, the fastening materials around the joints of an already-present sewer line are too strong and thick – or the coupling sleeves wouldn’t break during ‘pipe pulling.’ As the couplings become trapped, the pressure pushes the couplings down the line, which stacks them up. The pulling ram begins to stall as the equipment becomes stressed by the increased tension. In extreme circumstances, fixed surfaces like concrete get broken, lifted, or even stalled below ground. Due to this reason, pulling a new pipe through becomes impossible, and the area around it needs to be manually dug up.
To Guarantee Safety in Areas Surrounded by Dangerous Utilities:
Often, the work is done in regions where there are a lot of utilities adjacent to the sewer. These utilities can consist of electric, water, fibre, and gas lines. Since the overall nature of these areas is dangerous, open trench excavation is advisable as compared to trenchless sewer repair. To ensure that no severe accidents occur underground, companies will usually dig those areas to expose the pipes.
Design and Engineering:
Finally, the design and engineering of the sewer line are what may push companies towards open trench excavation. For instance, a company may witness a pipe with a sewer line belly after it breaks to the ground to repair a particular line. In the case of sewer line bellies, open trench excavation is almost always required. During this process, the existing sewer line is removed, it’s dug a bit deeper, and the aggregate base is laid that supports the pipe for the appropriate slope and line flow.
What Should You Do in Case an Open Trench Excavation Is Required?
A qualified engineer will always be aware of when an open trench solution is the best choice for your property. They’ll be able to describe to you the ‘whys’ of it in detail and what changes you should expect. Scanprobe have been supplying CCTV drain camera systems to professionals in the drainage industry for over 30 years, and our camera systems have been developed with their feedback. So you can trust a Scanprobe drain camera to be up to the task of helping you to determine the best form of repair action. Plus, we’re the leading providers of WinCan VX drain camera, visit our website to browse our offerings!