First, your toilet backs up, this is common so you grab a plunger. Next thing your shower is slow to drain, you think must be hair. Then the kitchen sink has a smell coming up through the drain, so you try some of that chemical cleaner. With each of these “small” plumbing repairs and do-it-yourself fixes, an underlying problem could be growing and growing below the surface. Unfortunately, in some cases, these problems are only discovered when the small issue becomes a disaster. When you do find yourself in need of a professional plumber, you want to be sure that not only is the problem repaired, but that a thorough inspection is completed. This visual inspection done via camera, ensures that the root of the issue is identified and corrected, before disaster strikes.
What is a camera inspection?
During a camera inspection, a waterproof camera is attached to a sewer cable and guided through your plumbing lines. In real time, the plumber can visually see the issues that may be causing the slow draining or back up of your plumbing lines, or issues that could lead to future disaster. With precision and accuracy, the plumbing camera, can diagnose whether the drainage issue is a matter of clearing the line by snaking the drain, or a larger issue such as tree roots growing through decomposing sewer lines.
Why is camera inspection beneficial?
Camera inspections can be done without digging up pipes or breaking up concrete. This visual inspection is minimally invasive to your plumbing system and can be done easily by a trained plumber.
Camera inspections take away the guessing game. In a traditional drain cleaning, a snake is used to push unknown material through the lines until the line is cleared. Best case scenario this resolves the issues and gets your plumbing back up and running. In other scenarios, this temporary fix misdiagnoses the real issue and can cause breaks or damage to plumbing pipes.
Additionally, in the event that the plumbing lines need repair or replacement, the camera inspection helps pinpoint the location of the leak or back up, making it less costly and cumbersome to repair.
When should you get a camera inspection?
There a few common occurrences in which we would encourage you to schedule to have your plumbing inspected via camera, some more obvious than others:
Sluggish drains:
If your sinks, showers, tubs, or any fixture begins draining slowly and it cannot be resolved with warm water, baking soda, or a mild detergent wash out, it is time to call a plumber and request a video inspection.
High Water Bill:
If you are unable to locate a leak from a faucet, toilet, or hose bibb, a high water bill may be the result of a leaking pipe, under your slab or even in your yard. Having a camera inspection can help determine the size, location, and severity of the leak.
Unwelcome visitors:
No, not the nosey neighbor, but rodents, insects and bugs, may enter your pipes through a crack or leak. Once in the pipes, these creatures can find their way up and into your house.
Drainage backup:
If you flush your toilet and notice sewage backing up into a sink, shower or tub, it is time to call a plumber. Isolated backups can often be contributed to a localized issue, however if sewage is backing up in other areas of the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry, having a camera inspection with drain clearing is a must.
Early detection of drainage issues can help maintain the quality of your plumbing. Through video inspections, our plumbers are able to help identify, locate, and recommend repairs to your plumbing prior to disaster striking. Give our office a call to get information about our camera inspections and our Babe’s Benefits Maintenance Agreements at (941)488-2402.
Josh is the Vice President of Babes Plumbing service division, overseeing all residential and commercial plumbing services. Josh handles over 180 service calls each week with a team of twelve skilled plumbers. Josh’s responsibilities range from customer service and plumber training to quality control and providing estimates and proposals. As a State Certified Master Plumber, Josh ensures that customers receive the highest level of expertise and assistance for their plumbing needs. His dedication to completing the job correctly the first time earned a strong reputation and countless customer referrals. Before joining the team, Josh excelled as a baseball player at Jacksonville University and remains a devoted fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a background in radio, he brings a unique perspective to our business. Outside work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife, Elise and their three children, McKenna, Liam, and Chase. They often venture into the scenic mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina for family trips.
