Sewer Camera Inspection
Sewer camera inspections help you save money by allowing us to do several things.
We’ll be able to identify any discrepancies or problem areas within that sewer line that could lead to catastrophic loss of your asset. For example, if there’s a separation in the pipe where toilet paper could get stuck and start building up, that could easily cause a backup.
We’re going to see if there is a belly, which is where the pipe makes a U shape underneath the ground and it holds water. That’s another area where solids that go down the line can build up, get backed up. If the pipe is back-pitched and holding water, we’re going to be able to see that. If there are any cracks or root intrusion where tree roots or even grass roots, we’ll be able to locate them.
In short, with a sewer camera inspection, we can see everything and get it fixed quickly.
Common Problems Discovered With a Sewer Camera
Breaks, sewer lines, bellies, and separations or breaks in the pipe are the most common issues we come across. We see a lot of bellies where sewer lines just weren’t installed correctly or they didn’t use the right type of PVC in the ground. We always use a pressure rated PVC pipe that’s rated to service water line pressure.
It’s a solid core, unlike what you pick up at normal home improvement stores that has a foam core. The outside of it looks hard, but the inside layer is porous. A lot of times, people throw that in the dirt and you see the dirt actually mimicking in the pipe when that pipe’s in the dirt. It looks like cellulite. It’s often that our camera goes down in there and it’s dimpled all the way.
Depending on where the break is, we have some trenchless methods that we can do. They are considered permanent. We can do a patch in the line which is like a stent. In some areas we’re able to shoot a CIPP liner. But, the most common, best, definite remedy is to rip the band aid off. We can dig it up and put a brand new piece of pipe in there or a brand new sewer line depending on what the issue is.
Before Buying a Home
You’re not going to see any of the above discussed discrepancies prior to purchasing a home. We did a sewer line this year that was almost 18ft deep. We had to remove a retaining wall and go about 30ft through the basement in the concrete. It was an $85,000 sewer line replacement.
The cost of a repair has less to do with the age of the home and more to do with how deep the pipes are. You should never go without a camera inspection just because the home is new. No matter what, don’t go in blind. Get a sewer camera inspection before signing papers.