Sewer Line Inspection

Inspecting a sewer line entails using a tiny, specialized camera that is fixed to a flexible cable. The camera is mounted to a turret that can then be sent forward through the sewer line. When the camera reaches a problem spot, the video it sends back to a monitor shows the precise nature of whatever issue has caused the sewer to back up. The whole process is basically a visual examination of the interior of the sewer line itself.

The normative test consists of several steps. Initially, a live video feed from a high-resolution sewer line inspection camera is used to determine if there are any obstructions, cracks, or other significant issues within the line. The camera is placed inside the line at the beginning point, and a professional observes the live feed to gain an understanding of the condition of the line. This same portion of the testing also determines the length of the line. Once the condition and the length of the line are known, then the more elaborate portions of the testing can be done to better understand the condition of the line and determine if it needs repairing.

Typically, having a camera put down a sewer costs from 100 to 800, contingent on several things—where you are, the kind of sewer system you're hooked up to, and even the specific company you hire for the job.

CCTV cameras in sewers are worth the investment. They furnish unambiguous, precise inspections of sewer lines, empowering the identification of all manner of faults—blockages, leaks, and serious structural problems—without digging up the whole street in front of the house. And guess what! That makes them incredibly time-efficient and saves a ton of money during the troubleshooting phase of sewer line repairs.

How often you need to clear your sewer line depends on several factors—the main ones being the age and condition of your pipes, the size of your household, and whether you like to test the limits of your plumbing system's obstruction-handling capabilities. On the whole, we recommend that you have your sewer line inspected and cleared if necessary by a professional—usually, like us—every 1 to 2 years. If you're having it done on the low end of that interval, then it's likely that there are no major issues with your line or any line upstream that's connected to it.

Different techniques are employed to find sewer pipes, one of which is closed-circuit television inspection. This method consists of inserting a camera into the sewer line and using the visual feedback to assess the line's interior condition. Another method is ground-penetrating radar, which can locate and assess the condition of underground pipes. One very old but still useful technique is smoke testing, which reveals leaks and illegal connections by observing the path taken by non-toxic smoke introduced into the sewer system. Robotic crawlers equipped with sensors have also been used to gather data inside pipes. These machines can navigate through the sewer system and overcome most obstacles that a human operator could not.

A sewer line's lifespan can depend on several factors, primarily the material the line is made from and the environmental conditions around it. The most common and durable materials used for sewer lines today include PVC and cast iron. A properly installed and maintained PVC sewer line can last from 50 to over 100 years. Cast iron sewer lines similarly can last anywhere from 75 to 100 years. Clay sewer lines last about 50 to 60 years, and Orangeburg sewer lines last about 30 to 50 years. Materials of inferior quality or lines that are improperly installed certainly can fail before the normal time expectancy.

Your sewer line can send you several signals when it's not functioning properly. The typical ones include your sinks and toilets draining very slowly, stubbornly stinky smells coming from your drains, and a plumbing system that seems to have an endless supply of clogs or backups. You might also notice that the grass in your yard is growing much better than in the past and also that your basement or foundation is wetter than it should be. Some people have reported seeing more pests of various sorts (rodents and insects) when their sewer lines are on the verge of collapse. Hearing gurgling noises in your plumbing is also a common sign of sewer line problems.

To clear sewer lines, plumbers employ a number of different methods. One of the more effective methods is called hydro jetting. This method uses high-pressure water to blast away clogs and debris. If a line is badly blocked, a plumber might use an auger or plumbing snake to break up and remove the clog. If a line is not badly blocked but is still not flowing well, a plumber might use a camera to inspect the line and determine exactly what the problem is.

Certainly, a damaged sewer line can pose serious health risks. It can release just about all of the harmful substances you can think of—from dangerous bacteria to noxious sewer gases—that can affect the very quality of your air. And that, of course, can have serious and even life-threatening effects on your health. Doing a precursory inspection of the line can help to identify any potential threats that may be lurking around.