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When most homeowners think of a sewer camera inspection, they think of it as a diagnostic tool used to find a problem that is already happening, like a major clog or a sewer backup. And while it is an invaluable tool for that purpose, one of the most powerful and often overlooked uses of a video camera inspection is for proactive and preventative maintenance. A periodic camera inspection of your home’s main sewer line, especially if your home is older, is a smart, proactive step that can identify potential problems long before they lead to a catastrophic and expensive emergency. It’s like getting a checkup for your home’s most critical and hidden plumbing artery.
Moving from a Reactive to a Proactive Mindset
A reactive approach to your sewer line means you wait until a problem—like a gurgling toilet or a sewage backup in your shower—occurs before you call for help. At that point, you are in an emergency situation, and you may already have suffered property damage. A proactive approach means using modern diagnostic technology to assess the health of your sewer line before a major failure occurs. This allows you to identify and address potential issues on your own schedule, rather than in a crisis.
What a Proactive Camera Inspection Can Uncover
A periodic camera inspection, perhaps every few years for an older home, can reveal the early warning signs of common sewer line problems.
- Early-Stage Tree Root Intrusion: A camera can spot small, young tree roots that have just begun to infiltrate the pipe through a joint. At this early stage, they can often be cleared out with a hydrojetter before they have a chance to grow into a massive, pipe-breaking root ball.
- Minor Cracks or Separated Joints: The camera can identify small cracks or slightly separated joints in older clay or cast iron pipes. Knowing about these issues allows you to monitor them and to budget and plan for a future repair, such as a trenchless pipe lining, before the crack becomes a major break.
- The Beginning of a “Pipe Belly”: A pipe belly, or sag, is a low spot in the line that collects waste. A camera can identify a developing belly before it becomes a source of constant, recurring clogs.
- Scale and Buildup: In older cast iron pipes, the camera can show the extent of internal corrosion and scale buildup, which can restrict flow.
As many home maintenance resources advise, a proactive approach is always more cost-effective than a reactive one. This is especially true for a major system like your sewer line.
A Critical Tool for Homebuyers
A proactive camera inspection is also a mandatory part of due diligence when you are buying a home. A general home inspector cannot see the condition of the underground sewer line. A pre-purchase sewer camera inspection, as recommended by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), can uncover hidden, pre-existing problems that could save you from a five-figure repair bill right after you move into your new home.
Your Utah Experts for Drain Camera Inspection
Don’t wait for a messy and expensive backup to find out what’s going on in your sewer line. A proactive video camera inspection is a smart investment in your property that can save you a tremendous amount of time, money, and stress. For homeowners in Utah, the experienced team at Lets Fix Plumbing offers state-of-the-art drain camera inspection services for both diagnostic and preventative purposes. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.