When it comes to plumbing repair, the earlier you can catch the underlying problem, the better. All too often homeowners end up with extensive repairs because an issue with their sewer line wasn’t identified in its early stages. Cracks, leaks, and blockages can also damage your home and yard if they are not quickly and properly repaired.
Before sewer line cameras, a plumbing service would have to dig up your line to find the issue — which is a hassle no homeowner wants. A sewer line camera attached to a long snake-like tube that can extend meters into your piping. Once the camera has reached the clog or leak, your plumber takes a detailed assessment of the damage.
One of the ways that professional plumbers diagnose problems in your pipes is by using plumbing camera inspection. By using a camera that extends far into your pipes, a technician can easily visually determine the problem with your pipes and start planning for repairs.
What Can a Plumbing Camera Inspection Show In My Pipes?
Plumbing camera inspections can identify a wide variety of problems in your pipes — let’s go over a few of the most common issues
When your water pressure just isn't what it used to be or you are frequently experiencing clogged drains, there are usually a few potential causes. When you have a professional perform a plumbing camera inspection, you’ll be able to find out the exact cause of your home plumbing issues. Let’s go over some of the common problems that a plumbing camera can easily identify.
Invasive Tree Roots
If you are living in an older home, there is a good chance that tree roots will encroach on your pipes over time. This is due to older pipe materials being more porous coupled with a tree’s natural inclination toward water sources. When a tree root grows into an older underground pipe, it will often result in blockages.
Cracks, Breakages, and Collapsed Areas
Once again, older pipes are more susceptible to cracks and breakages over time. Should there be a major failure in your sewer system, a plumbing camera inspection will show the exact location and extent of the damage. If it becomes impossible for the camera to continue further down the pipe, this is likely a sign of a collapsed pipe.
Current and Future Blockages
Much like cracks and leaks, blockages are easily identified by sewer line cameras. In some cases, a camera can detect future problem areas in your pipes before a complete blockage occurs. This means early action can be taken before a blockage leads to more expensive repairs.
Sagging Line
Over time, sewer lines can sag. When sewer lines sag, it is more difficult for waste to move through your pipes regularly. By calling a plumber to perform a sewer line inspection, you can avoid digging up your yard to locate the problem at a later date. Now that we’ve discussed a bit about what a camera can find in your pipes, let's learn more about when you should get your plumbing inspected with a sewer line camera.
You've Just Moved Into an Existing Home
Don’t wait until you’re experiencing a drainage problem, give yourself peace of mind with a plumbing camera inspection
Have you recently moved? If you have, you should consider getting a sewer camera inspection. Moving into an existing home is often unpredictable, and there can be some issues that you may not have expected. So, give yourself peace of mind that the plumbing in your new home is working properly. And, even if there is an issue discovered in your pipes, you’ll be able to address it as early as possible.
Your Fixtures are Not Draining Properly
Drainage issues are annoying! Luckily your local Pittsburgh plumbing experts can help you find the cause
A telltale sign of an issue with your pipes is failure to drain properly. This often happens in sinks and showers as they slowly take longer and longer to fully drain. Though many people think that this is an inevitable symptom of an older home, it could be a sign of a bigger issue with your property. By calling a professional plumber to take a look with a sewer line camera, you can get your pipes back to running like new.
You’ re Experiencing Inconsistent Water Pressure
If there are any potential leaks in your plumbing, a sewer line camera can locate them before they get any worse
Low water pressure can be a major inconvenience. When water pressure in your home is too low, it can cause appliances to operate inefficiently. Not to mention, no one likes a low water pressure shower! Thankfully, a sewer line camera can determine any issues that may be causing low water pressure in your home. Too often, low water pressure is a sign of a leak or a cracked pipe, which can lead to expensive repairs in the future.
You Can’t Remember The Last Time you Had Your Sewer Checked
If you don’t remember the last time you inspected your pipes, that's a good sign to call your local Pittsburgh plumbing service to take a look
Over the years, strain and other factors will affect your plumbing. Whether it be tree roots or sagging pipes, no sewer system can work perfectly forever. So, if it's been a long time or you can’t remember the last time you had your sewer line inspected, it is probably a good time to call a professional. When you have your pipes visually inspected by a professional on a regular basis, you are being diligent in maintaining your home. As we’ve mentioned, plumbing repairs can get expensive, so it's best to identify any potential problems as early as possible.
If you suspect that your water line is broken or in need of repair, call a professional to perform a plumbing camera inspection. At Restano Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we can complete any broken water line repairs and perform regular cleanings. We only complete repair work using experienced, licensed plumbers who use professional equipment that meets our standards. So, give us a call today and let us make sure your pipes are running properly.
