If you’re thinking about buying a new home, sewer inspection is a must. A major sewer issue isn’t usually covered by homeowners’ insurance and could cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent these costly repairs. One way is to get a visual inspection of the line with a camera.
Sewer inspections are conducted by certified professionals who use specialized cameras to view the condition of a home’s drain pipes. They can spot issues such as cracks, broken sections, and clogs. This allows homeowners to take proactive measures to repair or replace the sewer lines before they become a major problem.
In the past, sewer inspections were done manually, requiring experts to enter confined spaces in order to check for damage and blockages. This was a risky and time-consuming process, but modern technology has made it safer and more efficient.
A camera on a long cable is inserted into the pipe, allowing the inspector to see what’s inside. This method is usually the most cost-effective, but it can’t detect everything. For example, tree roots are a common issue that can grow into and damage pipes. The inspector can also miss some problems due to poor construction or changes in the ground beneath the pipes.
Another common inspection method is dye testing, which involves introducing a special colorant into the pipes and watching for it to flow. This can help the inspector identify leaks or other issues, such as a catch basin or roof drain with an improperly closed stopcock.
A more advanced technique is ground penetrating radar, which uses radar waves to create a detailed map of the underground environment, including the sewer pipes. This can identify problems such as structural damage, clogs, and invertebrate infestations.
Drones can be used to inspect a sewer system without the need for human operators to enter confined spaces. They can fly over the pipes to collect data and provide high-resolution images. This makes them particularly useful for assessing the condition of older pipes.
Moreover, drones can be equipped with sensors to measure the thickness of the walls of a pipeline and alert the operator when a wall is too thin to support the weight of the pipes and structures above it. This information can help the operator determine whether a section of pipe needs to be replaced.
Drones are also capable of detecting changes in the soil underneath a pipe. This indicates that the pipes may be shifting or moving, which could lead to cracking, leaks, or collapse.
Sewer Scope
Home inspectors who perform sewer scope inspections can expect to earn an average of $150 per inspection. This service is frequently requested by home buyers who want to ensure that their potential new house doesn’t have a huge sewage line issue waiting for them or by homeowners who want to prevent a costly repair bill down the road.
The process of inspecting a home’s sewer lines typically takes no more than an hour and requires the use of specialized equipment. A home inspector uses a flexible borescope with a camera that feeds images and video to a monitor. The camera can detect blockages, broken or missing sections of pipe, and other issues that would be difficult to see without a professional inspection.
When performing a sewer scope inspection, it’s important to follow certain protocols to protect the environment and avoid contamination. For example, it’s crucial to flush out all of the home’s plumbing fixtures and run water into all locations where you plan on entering the sewer system. This helps to lubricate the pipes and makes it easier for the camera to move through the line. It’s also a good idea to place drop cloths around the work area to keep the dirt and debris from contaminating the surrounding soil and landscaping.
Some of the most common problems that can be detected by a professional sewer scope inspection include clogs, leaks, and structural damage. Older homes often have clay or concrete pipes that are more prone to problems than the plastic pipes used in newer homes. A home inspector can spot inferior pipe materials during a sewer inspection and alert you to the need for immediate repair.
Another common problem that can be spotted with a sewer scope is ground shifting, which can cause sections of the pipe to sag or break. A sagging section of the sewer pipe is known as a “belly” and can lead to sewage backups inside the home.
Adding a sewer scope inspection to a standard home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs. A reputable WIN Home Inspection network offers this valuable add-on inspection to help you stay informed about your home’s sewage system and make wise buying decisions.
Jetter Nozzles
The right nozzle is essential for every job. A sewer jetter without the right nozzle is like a car with bald tires; it just doesn’t perform. There are several different nozzles to choose from, each designed for a specific task, and knowing which ones are best for the job can make or break a sewer cleaning service’s bottom line.
For general drain and debris removal, operators typically want low pressure with high flow. This allows for enough water to dislodge and move the blockage through the pipe while keeping pressure at a minimum. When dealing with harder materials, such as encrustation or mortar, however, operators will want to operate at a higher pressure level with lower flow in order to effectively break up and remove the material.
When dealing with roots, it is essential to have a nozzle that can cut through the roots without damaging the pipe wall or causing further damage. This requires a nozzle with forward jets to knock them off the side of the pipe and rear jets to flush them away. There are several different types of nozzles for this type of work, including chisel, cone, and rotary nozzles.
In addition to cutting through stubborn obstructions, nozzles can also be used for pressure washing. This can be necessary after a clog is removed in order to get rid of any remaining residue or to clean out the lining of the pipe. A rotary nozzle with replaceable inserts is ideal for this type of cleaning.
Nozzles can also be equipped with cameras to provide real-time footage of the pipe condition as well as the clog itself. This allows the operator to see what is going on inside the pipe and ensure that all of the clogs have been removed. Using the camera and the right nozzle can help speed up the removal process, reduce downtime, and increase profitability for any sewer jetting service.
Arthur Products offers a variety of different nozzle kits that can be used with various types of jetter equipment. Each kit is designed with flexibility in mind, ensuring that professionals have the right tools for the job at hand. The kits range from a basic, all-purpose kit to a more advanced thruster version that is designed to provide the same jetting patterns as a standard nozzle but at a longer distance.
Video Inspection
A plumber can send a small, waterproof camera into your pipes to take a close-up look at the condition of your lines. Then they can use the footage to identify any issues like cracks, holes, misalignment, clogs, and more. This allows them to create a plan for how to best fix your problem without needing to dig up the line.
This technique is also known as CCTV, or closed-circuit television. It’s a common way to evaluate the condition of larger sewer lines and other wastewater infrastructure that’s located underground and under buildings or yards. Camera inspections are usually done when the pipe is empty so that the inspector can see what’s inside. In a typical inspection, the camera is attached to a float that’s inserted into a manhole or other access point. The camera is then rolled through the pipe and viewed on a monitor. The video shows the pipe’s condition, including any obstructions, and can be saved for a permanent record.
Another advantage of camera inspections is that they help the plumber find the source of a problem without needing to dig up your entire yard. This saves you money on a costly repair bill and minimizes the amount of time your home is without service. A plumbing company will be able to view the footage in real-time and give you an estimate right away.
A sewer line that’s damaged or clogged can be a serious health hazard for your family. That’s why it’s important to have your sewer system inspected regularly. With regular maintenance, you can prevent damage to your sewer line and avoid emergency repairs.
As the need for inspections continues to grow, many cities and private companies are adopting new technologies that reduce or eliminate the need for people to enter confined spaces such as tunnels and pipes. These new tools make it safer for workers to carry out the inspections and ensure that all relevant safety procedures are followed. They also allow for a quicker turnaround on repairs, as the work can be done in less time and with less effort.
