Cameras first became regularly used in the plumbing industry in the 1990s. Prior to their adoption as a tool in the plumbing profession, plumbers had to put in a significant amount of educated guesswork to determine what was going on with a pipe. Problems would have to be identified through the feel of the pipe, or pipes would need to be excavated altogether. The introduction of drain cameras to the industry changed all that, bringing with their industry adoption a number of benefits to both the technician and the customer.
How Does a Plumbing Camera Work?
Plumbing cameras typically consist of a long and flexible cable that has a high-resolution camera that is mounted on the end. After a plumbing technician inserts the camera and cable into a pipe, they are able to see what the camera sees by means of a display. Older plumbing cameras have a dedicated display device, while newer models allow for viewing the live feed on a phone or tablet using WiFi. In viewing the live footage of the inside of the pipe, the technician is able to identify any present issues.
Plumbing cameras typically have an LED light so that the technician can have a clear view of the inside of the pipe, which would be dark otherwise. In order to get a full look at what is happening in the pipe, the technician can control the view of the camera remotely, adjusting its direction and angle. Images and videos of the interior of the pipe can be recorded by the camera for reference.
Identifying Hidden Issues
The use of plumbing cameras allows for the identification of issues that are not visible to the naked eye.
Some of the problems that a plumbing camera can identify include:
- Blockages
- Corrosion
- Cracks and breaks
- Joint problems
- Bellied pipes
- Sewer line issues
A blockage can be caused by hair, grease, and other debris that can accumulate, leading to slow draining or eventual full backups. Corrosion in pipes can lead to leaks or total pump failure. Cracks or breaks can come from tree roots, old age, or various other factors and can cause leaks or water damage. Bellied pipes create dips in pipes that can lead to debris accumulation and the development of blockages. Joint problems can be due to age or shifting soil and can lead to leaks or pipe separation. Sewer line issues can be due to a large number of factors. With a plumbing camera, all of these hidden problems can be identified and remedied.
Making Accurate Diagnoses
With a plumbing camera, a technician is able to properly diagnose what the issue is. This takes out the need for any guesswork and allows for correctly determining where a problem is, what the problem is, and its degree of severity. This serves to save a lot of time as well as money for the customer.
Preventative Maintenance
By using cameras during your routine maintenance inspections, a technician can locate potential issues before they become major problems. With the early detection that plumbing cameras allow for, money is saved for the homeowners on repairs as well as avoiding the inconvenience that comes with having to deal with a plumbing emergency.
Pinpoint Targeting of Repairs
Drain cameras allow for exact, pinpoint targeting of problems. This allows for the avoidance of excavating large areas of walls and floors, cutting down on time and labor costs. Being able to hone in on the exact location of a problem also helps make sure that work is focused on the exact spot where a pipe may have cracked so that a repair is not spread out over a larger area than necessary.
Improved Hygiene
Drain cameras have the ability to find where clogs and blockages are along a pipeline. This means that the work can be done quicker and improve the immediate health of you and your loved ones, since festering blockages and clogs can adversely affect your family’s health by promoting bacteria growth. Bacteria and mold growth can cause or exacerbate a whole slew of health problems, such as respiratory issues, allergic reactions, illnesses, and even asthma attacks.
Repair Verification
Once a repair is made, a technician is able to use a plumbing camera to check their work and verify that the problem has been solved. This ensures that the issue was identified correctly and that the work done to fix it is sound. Being able to check and verify the repair before sending water back through the pipes as a test, helps make sure that the test is going to work and not cause further problems.
Cost Savings
One of the most important benefits to the customer of the utilization of cameras in diagnosing plumbing problems is that it saves money and time. Being able to inspect your pipes, identify hidden problems, pinpoint the root cause of issues, and verify repairs, all without having to do it in a way that takes up a lot of time is great for both the technician and the person with the plumbing issue. The significant cost savings by cutting down on troubleshooting time make for happy customers.
Customer Understanding and Responsibility
It is one thing to tell a customer about a pipe issue. It is wholly another to be able to not only tell the customer but also show them what is going on with their system in real time. Being able to see things visually is powerful. The ability to do this with plumbing cameras in real-time can lead customers to take better care in making sure that their pipes are well-maintained.
Call in a Professional for a Plumbing Camera Diagnosis
At Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical, we know how frustrating hidden plumbing problems can be. Sometimes a homeowner does all the DIY problem-solving that they can, but eventually, it is time to bring in a professional that has the right equipment for the job. We have specially-made waterproof cameras that can give our technicians a full visual inspection of sewer lines and other underground pipes. This also gives us access to pipes that are in cement or even under your home’s foundation. With our plumbing video camera equipment, we can determine the exact cause of your plumbing issue by carefully inspecting every inch of your plumbing system. These cameras have even been able to find jewelry and animals that have been lost or become trapped in pipes.
Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical serves the North Phoenix, AZ, community and the surrounding areas. We are state-licensed, insured, and bonded, with a team of technicians who are fully insured, experienced, and qualified to meet your plumbing needs. Beyond being there for your emergency plumbing issues and routine maintenance, we also stock and are able to access a large inventory of water softeners, water heaters, whole-house water filtration systems, reverse osmosis drinking water systems, and plumbing supplies. Our goal is to make sure that our residential and commercial neighbors in this wonderful community of ours have plumbing that is working well and that each repair we do is done right. Whether you have a project that is simple or complicated, give Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical a call today.
