Not all plumbers are old school. Ask if a plumbing camera can help make your plumbing problem easier to fix.

Today’s plumbers have much more in their arsenal than a standard plumbing snake and a pair of wrenches. Using high-tech tools like plumbing cameras, these professionals can turn to state-of-the-art technology when they’re working to get your pipes clean and flowing freely once again. So if you’re experiencing what appears to be a major problem with your home’s sewer drain, call in the professionals with the latest tools to help you clean your pipes in the most effective and least disruptive way.

Video pipe inspection uses a special waterproof camera attached to a long spool of wire, not unlike a plumbing snake. This small camera is specifically designed to be able to pass through drainage pipes, withstanding harsh conditions to provide a clear image, even through standing water. To locate a problem, your plumber will attach the camera to your pipes, usually through a sewer cleanout, uncoiling the cable as the camera moves down the pipe. As the camera moves across your pipes, the technician will be able to see inside your pipes on a small video screen. In this way, a pipeline inspection can pinpoint all kinds of problems, including:

* Blocks and accumulations
* Root intrusion
* Pipe damage such as cracks and breaks

In most cases, once your plumber has figured out where the problem lies, they’ll be able to fix it without digging up your yard or ripping up your floor. In cases of root intrusion or blockages, flushing the pipes often with a water jet (pressurized water) technique will eliminate the problem, all from inside the pipe.

Using a plumbing camera to locate the problem does not always mean that the problem can be solved without digging. For example, in the case of a sewer drain pipe that actually snapped in two, the line will need to be replaced. However, by using a sewer line camera to identify the damaged section of pipe, your plumber will be able to dig up this specific spot, instead of digging up the entire line looking for the problem. This helps streamline the entire process and minimizes the damage to your yard that will be required to get your plumbing working again.

So the next time you experience a plumbing drain or overflow problem, ask your local plumber if a video pipe inspection might be right for your project. You’ll be amazed at how quick, easy, and less invasive it can be to fix your plumbing problem when you have a sewer camera on the job!