Video Camera Line Inspection

Video cameras have become one of the most valuable tools in the plumbing business. Specially made fiber optic cameras allow for a visual inspection of underground sewer lines and other piping to determine the condition of the inside of the pipe. A flexible rod with a high-resolution video camera on its tip is inserted into the pipe for inspection. Video images are transmitted to the camera operator and can be saved onto a videotape for a permanent record. Radio transmitters on the camera record the depth and physical location from the surface so that defects and obstructions can be corrected cost effectively.

Video cameras have also been used to locate lost jewelry and other valuables, as well as animals that have become lost or trapped in pipes.

Video camera inspections pinpoint problems like these:

• Broken, cracked or collapsed pipe - damaged pipes requiring repair or replacement.
• Offset pipe - sewer pipes have become misaligned due to shifting soil, frozen ground, settling, etc.
• Blockage - grease buildup or a foreign object is restricting or prohibiting proper flow and/or cleaning of the line.
• Corrosion - the pipe has deteriorated and/or broken, causing sections to collapse and restrict water flow.
• Bellied pipe - a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions, creating a valley that collects paper and waste.
• Leaking joints - the seals between pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
• Root infiltration - tree or shrub roots have invaded the sewer line, preventing normal cleaning and/or roots have damaged the pipe.
• Off-grade pipe - existing pipes are constructed of substandard or outdated material that may have deteriorated or corroded.