Everything You Need to Know About Plumbing Inspections
As technology develops, the plumbing industry is changing to offer quicker, cheaper, and more effective services. One of the important new tools that has been developed is the pipe inspection camera. With pipe inspection cameras plumbers can get an up-close look at the internal condition of your home’s plumbing system.
Being able to know exactly where and what the problem with your pipes is, helps prevent plumbers from having to make multiple attempts to fix a problem. It also helps prevent disastrous problems in your home such as your sewer backing up or water pipes bursting and flooding your home.
How Do Pipe Cameras Work?
Pipe inspection cameras work on a similar principle to a pipe snake. Instead of having a blade on the end, there is a tiny camera. The camera is fed off of the reel down into the sewer or water pipes. As the camera is fed down into the pipe, the image of the pipes is displayed on a monitor that is being watched by the plumber.
During the inspection, the plumber is looking for signs of pipe damage or blockages. Once the problem is identified, they will make specific recommendations for repairs.
When Should You Schedule Sewer Inspections?
Sewers are the unsung heroes of modern society. Sewers are specially designed to sweep away the waste produced in your home and prevent the spread of disease as a result. Unfortunately, homeowners only tend to think about your sewer when it is backing up raw sewage into your home. Having your sewer inspected will tell you several things:The Material of Your Piping
Older sewers were run in iron, steel, or even clay pipes. As these pipes age, they become susceptible to breakages that allow foreign material and tree roots to form clogs. Newer sewers are run in PVC pipes. PVC is more reliable but is also vulnerable to breakages under extreme circumstances. By seeing your pipes from the inside, you will know the condition of your sewer and prevent clogs that can back up into your home.
Condition of Your Pipes
Traditionally water pipes have been made of galvanized steel and copper. While copper typically lasts longer, both can be victims of corrosion. Corrosion weakens the inside of the pipe walls. When the walls are weakened enough, the pressure of your water can cause pinhole leaks and even full bursts. When leaks and pipe bursts happen, your home can become flooded. Flooding can ruin floors and walls and fuel the growth of harmful molds that can grow in your home. By having your water pipes inspected you can prevent water damage from happening to you.
Sewer walls can become fouled with grease, hair and soap residue. By having your sewer inspected you can determine how dirty the walls of your sewer are. If they are heavily fouled, the plumber may recommend hydrojetting to clean them out and prevent future problems.
The Perks of Professional Service
A plumbing inspection is an important aspect of plumbing emergency prevention. As pipes age, corrosion takes its toll on the internal walls of your pipes. Leaks always form on the inside of pipes. By being able to look at the condition of the inside of your pipes you can evaluate the condition of your plumbing and take preemptive action to prevent having an emergency, while lengthening your pipes' lifespans.
Preventing pipe bursts and water leaks keep you from having to pay for emergency plumbing services and exposing yourself to the damages of having water inside your home. As a homeowner, your goal should be to address minor issues before they become emergencies, which is why a bit of plumbing knowledge can go a long way.
About Swick Home Services
Swick Home Services is a locally-owned, small business providing plumbing services in Marquette, MI since 1977. If you need your pipes inspected they can provide fast, reliable services. They can help you with clog removal, hydrojetting or repiping damaged sections of sewers.
