During a sewer line inspection, a plumbing technician inserts a snaking video camera into the sewer line through the sewer cleanout. The video camera may only be able to travel as far as the first large obstruction, or it may be able to travel all the way through the main sewer line, catching small damages or obstructions along the way.As problems in the sewer line are found, the plumbing technician records the exact location and depth, so they can more easily be addressed later. Some of the most common problems plumbing technicians look for while conducting a sewer pipe inspection include:
- Bellies, or sunken portions of pipe
- Crushed or cracked portions of pipe
- Grease and other organic buildup
- Food or waste obstructions
- Incorrect installation of pipe
- Root invasions
How Long Does it Take to Complete a Sewer Line Inspection?
For a single family home, the process will take approximately one hour. The plumbing technician must conduct a thorough inspection to achieve the following goals:
- Assess the overall condition of the plumbing system
- Ensure the plumbing system is functioning as it was designed to
- Detect any existing damage or leaks
- Prevent future plumbing issues
When the inspection is complete, the plumbing technician will discuss all observations and, if necessary, recommendations for a sewer and drain cleaning, sewer line repair or sewer line replacement.