Drain camera inspections provide plumbing professionals and property owners with a visual indication of the condition of their drain pipes. While they are a crucial tool for accurately diagnosing the causes of slow-draining, smelly, and blocked drains, CCTV inspections can also help with the early detection of plumbing problems that can quickly turn into messy and costly repairs.
From tree roots to tissues, here are some of the most common problems we find during drain inspections and why this cutting-edge technology is the best method for detecting plumbing issues, both big and small.
Why Drain Inspections Matter
CCTV drain inspections are used to diagnose a range of plumbing issues, from significant blockages caused by tree root intrusions to small cracks causing leaking pipes. They are the preferred method of detecting these problems because the alternative — digging up pipes — is messy, inconvenient, and expensive.
Camera inspections aren’t just used to detect known problems in a drainage system. This technology is also an important part of maintaining plumbing systems for optimal functionality and longevity.
This is why savvy potential homebuyers use CCTV drain camera inspections during pre-purchase inspections.
Most Common Problems Found
Whether you’re suffering from drainage issues, frequent blockages, mould growth, or unpleasant odours, a visual drain inspection can detect a range of plumbing problems from root intrusion to structural damage.
Tree Root Intrusion
Underground pipes are an ideal spot for tree roots to grow. They are constantly moist and full of nutrients. Roots seek out weak points in pipes — joints, cracks, or corrosion — making their way inside where they continue to grow and lead to blockages. If not detected, cracks can widen and the pipes can collapse completely.
CCTV drain inspections are the best way to detect tree roots before they can cause blockages or significant damage. These types of inspections are non-invasive, meaning the pipes don’t have to be dug up, and they allow plumbers to detect the exact point of invasion and the extent of root intrusion. They also allow plumbers to conduct targeted repairs like root cutting in a precise manner.
Blocked Drains from Grease, Hair, or Debris
Blockages can occur at any point within a plumbing system. This is why a CCTV drain inspection is an essential tool to help clear blockages and prevent them from recurring. CCTV drain cameras can pinpoint the exact location of a blockage and detect what’s causing it.
A drain camera inspection gives a real-time view of the cause of the blockage, which can help educate homeowners and tenants on the dangers of not protecting drains with regular maintenance and preventative steps, such as using waste strainers.
Collapsed or Cracked Pipes
Cracked and collapsed pipes can be due to a range of reasons, from soil movement to vehicles, and because they are underground, it can be hard to detect damaged pipes until they cause major problems.
Structural damage to a sewer system can cause your backyard to become a dangerous, toxic mess.
By catching problems early with the use of a high-resolution camera, you can avoid further damage. CCTV drain inspections also allow for targeted repairs, rather than unnecessary digging all over your backyard to replace all of the sewer lines.
Pipe Corrosion and Material Degradation
Pipes, particularly underground sewer pipes, are made from various materials, including clay, cast iron, and PVC. All of these materials have different lifespans and react differently to environmental conditions like soil movement.
As pipes age, they are prone to corrosion, cracks, and holes. By using a sewer camera to inspect the system’s health, you can use the video footage to pinpoint the exact parts of the system that need repairs or replacement, avoiding expensive repairs, including excavation.
Poor Pipe Installation or Misalignment
Pipe misalignment is more common than you would think. Floods, dry conditions, soil types, and heavy machinery can put pressure on pipes and cause them to shift.
The early detection of misaligned pipes with a CCTV drain inspection can help you avoid significant damage to your home and yard due to flooding, and it’s a more cost-effective solution than digging up your entire yard.
Foreign Objects or Build-up
Every professional plumber will have a story or two about foreign objects they have detected causing drainage problems in plumbing systems, whether it be toys or sanitary products.
Drain camera inspections are non-invasive, so they are a cost-effective solution to finding the cause of persistent blockages and debris build-up. They also ensure no further damage is done to ageing pipes.
How CCTV Drain Inspections Help Detect These Issues
You can try to fix a blocked drain yourself using home remedies or a plunger, but you won’t uncover the root cause of the problem and, more than likely, the problem will return. In the meantime, the pipes could suffer further damage, leading to a more expensive fix.
Drain camera inspections are a simple and cost-effective process. A camera on a flexible cable is fed through pipes, showing your plumber real-time footage. They can then give you a detailed report outlining what they have found and what action to take.
However, you shouldn’t wait until you have drainage issues to have a CCTV inspection. Drain camera inspections performed as a part of a regular maintenance routine can help you detect potential problems in ways that traditional methods cannot.
Preventative Tips to Keep Your Drains Clear
Try these tips to keep your drains healthy and clear:
- Have regular CCTV drain inspections to find problems early on.
- Only the 3 Ps should go down the drain (that’s pee, poo, and (toilet) paper!).
- Use drain strainers to prevent hair clogs, food debris, and lint from entering the sewer system.
- Wipe greasy pans with paper towel before washing.
- Use enzyme cleaners regularly to keep your drainage system healthy.
What to Do If You Spot a Problem
As we’ve mentioned, you don’t have to be experiencing a problem with your drainage system to have a CCTV drain inspection. They are an extremely cost-effective way of checking your pipes for leaks, cracks, corrosion, and misalignment that can turn into costly repairs down the track.
Only a licensed plumber can make repairs based on what your CCTV drain inspection reveals and only The Relining Company can repair your pipes so they are like new again with our state-of-the-art pipe relining service. For plumbing camera inspections to fix persistent blockages or check the health of your sewer system, contact us on 0488 885 166.
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