One of the first questions that homeowners, plumbers or property inspectors ask before investing in a sewer inspection system is, how sewer cameras work? These cameras may look like a video camera on a long cable, but they are actually high-tech diagnostic tools that can be used to examine underground pipes without digging. They stream live video from behind the walls to help the professional determine the cause of blockages or cracks, tree root intrusion, misaligned pipes, corrosion and other issues that may be present within the drain or sewer system without being detected.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the past, it was common to cut back parts of yards and/or concrete floors to find underground plumbing problems. In today’s world, sewer inspection cameras have Revolutionized the plumbing business, permitting inspections to be more accurate, less intrusive, and faster. Technicians can visually inspect the whole line and recommend to repair the damaged pipe or blockage in the line as necessary, rather than guess where it might be.
If you’re a homeowner who’s never heard of a plumber using an inspection camera to locate the source of a sewer problem, or a contractor looking for his first inspection camera, understanding sewer inspection cameras will help you appreciate their worth and select the proper equipment when the moment arrives.
This is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to use a sewer camera inspection system and an overview of all the important elements of a sewer camera.
Table of Contents
What Is a Sewer Camera?
A camera for sewers, pipe inspection camera or drain inspection camera is a special type of waterproof video camera fitted onto a long flexible push rod. The camera is placed in the underground pipes and a machine is used to push the camera into the pipes, so that the inside of the pipes can be inspected without digging.
Sewer cameras are designed for the difficult environment of the sewer system and not a standard camera. They are required to work in the dark, in water, mud, grease, chemicals and debris—no doubt and no dust—many times in curved areas inside of drainage systems.
These are generally modern inspection systems that include:
- Waterproof camera head
- Flexible fiberglass push rod
- Cable reel
- LED lighting
- Digital monitor
- Recording system
- Battery power supply
- Optional locator (sonde)
The camera moves inside the pipe and the live video is shown on the monitor, which enables the operator to detect defects while they’re happening.
Typically, sewer cameras are used for the following inspections:
- Residential sewer lines
- Drain pipes
- Stormwater systems
- Commercial plumbing
- Municipal sewer infrastructure
- Industrial pipelines
They can be used to give immediate visual information and have greatly curtailed needless excavation and guesswork.
The Main Components of a Sewer Camera System
There are a wide variety of sizes and costs of sewer cameras available, but most sewer cameras are composed of the same basic parts.
Camera Head
The camera head is the key component of the inspection system. It features an HD camera with a waterproof, rugged body of either stainless steel or hardened alloy. Some professional cameras even have sapphire glass lenses, which are more scratch resistant.
The camera has been engineered to be able to continuously be immersed in water and to be able to move through rough pipe surfaces.
LED Lighting
The camera lens is surrounded by bright LED lights, as you can’t see anything inside the sewer pipe. The adjustable brightness feature helps to ensure visibility inside dirty or flooded pipes.
Push Rod
The camera is pushed by the push rod along the pipeline.
It must be:
- Able to bend easily
- Strong enough to drive long distances
- Resistant to twisting
- Resistant to wear and tear.Lasting, resistant to use.
Fiberglass rods are often used as they are a compromise of flexibility and strength.
Cable Reel
The push rod is stored on the reel and transporting the system is easier. Professional reels are designed to handle repeated loading and unloading and the often challenging conditions that occur on job sites.
Monitor
The monitor shows the real-time video from the camera while it is moving inside the pipe.
Important features of modern systems include:
- HD displays
- Touchscreen controls
- Image capture
- Video recording
- Zoom
- Playback
- The device was equipped with either USB or SD card storage.
Some of the high-end options also have Wi-Fi connectivity to enable wireless file sharing.
How a Sewer Camera Inspection Works
The first step in the sewer inspection process is to locate the access point a sewer inspection typically starts with identifying an access point, which is typically a cleanout, drain opening or maintenance access. When the equipment is ready to use, the operator slowly pushes the camera into the pipeline with the flexible push rod.
As the camera is moving, live video is displayed on the monitor. The operator carefully checks the pipe conditions, and adjusts the camera speed to make sure that every part is checked.
Typical things that are checked during inspection include:
- Tree root intrusion
- Grease buildup
- Pipe cracks
- Collapsed sections
- Joint separation
- Standing water
- Corrosion
- Foreign objects
- Pipe misalignment
Most professional systems will also enable operators to take photos or make records of the inspection for customer reporting or maintenance records to be stored for future inspections.
The technician can use a built-in locator to accurately locate the position of the camera head in the ground which will greatly aid any future repairs.
The technology enables the plumber to identify the issue without the need to dig up the entire pipe to fix it, thereby saving in repair expenses and time.
Common Problems Sewer Cameras Can Detect
The best part about sewer inspection cameras is how they can uncover issues that would otherwise be unseen and unknown beneath the surface.
Common issues include:
Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots will also naturally gravitate toward water and usually get into the small pipe joints. They slowly grow and create a large blockage and structural damage over time.
Grease and Debris Build-Up
Over time, grease, soap scum and other materials build up in pipe openings and inhibit water flow in the system.
Cracked Pipes
Cracks can develop for various reasons, such as ground movement, heavy traffic, freezing temperatures and ageing materials, and eventually cause leaks or failure of the pipe.
Offset Pipe Joints
If the soil is moved, portions of the pipes can become misaligned, which can result in blockages to collect waste and debris.
Collapsed Pipes
Older clay pipes, cast iron pipes or broken plastic pipes can buckle or collapse, which will stop wastewater from moving through the pipes.
Corrosion
Metal pipes corrode over time and become less efficient over time, causing the risk of leaks.
Repairs can be done before minor plumbing issues become big problems because they can be fixed early.
Why Sewer Cameras Are Better Than Traditional Inspection Methods
Prior to the availability of sewer cameras, a lot of plumbing problems in the ground had to be solved through the process of trial and error excavation.
Inspection cameras today offer a number of significant benefits:
- No unnecessary digging
- Faster diagnosis
- Lower repair costs
- Accurate problem identification
- Video documentation
- Improved customer confidence
- Better repair planning
Plumbers can use video footage to document and present the problem to their customers instead of just talking about it.
This clarity is beneficial to the property owner to gain a better understanding of the recommended repairs.
should give you the knowledge to make a selection.If you’re looking at various inspection systems, our guide Best Sewer Cameras: Complete Guide for Inspection, Plumbing & Buying should equip you with the know-how to select one. Examines some of the most popular sewer camera systems available today and discusses which types would be ideal for homeowners, contractors and professional plumbers.
Understanding Features Before Buying
Not all sewer cameras have the same features.
When looking at different inspection systems, consider the following:
- Camera resolution
- Cable length
- Waterproof rating
- Self-leveling camera head
- Recording capability
- Battery life
- Locator compatibility
- Monitor quality
All features have an impact on both accuracy of inspection and usability.
Our guide How to Choose the Right Sewer Camera will help you select a professional camera that works most effectively for your needs. It describes these features in detail and assists in choosing equipment to suit inspection requirements and cost.
Industry Standards and Professional Training
Professional sewer inspection is usually done according to established industry standards to ensure proper reporting and proper functioning of the sewer.
North America’s National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) creates training courses, standards of certification and inspection guidelines.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance in several areas to ensure worker protection and safety during underground utility inspections, including confined space safety, hazard awareness, and worker protection.
Professional and/or homeowners can gain insight from trusted organizations on how modern sewer inspection is done.
Conclusion
Once you know how sewer cameras work, you’ll be better able to see how they have become one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in modern plumbing. These systems utilize waterproof HD cameras, high-powered LED lights, extensible push rods and digital recording capabilities to help operators conduct a rapid and accurate inspection of pipelines without causing any destruction or digging.
From a homeowner looking into a recurring issue with their drains, to a plumber expanding their services, an understanding of the workings of sewer cameras gives a plumbing expert the advantage of informed choice.
As the technology advances inspectors will continue to have access to sewer cameras to lower repair costs, increase diagnostic precision, and keep plumbing systems healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can a sewer camera travel?
Most residential systems range from 100 to 165 feet, while professional commercial models may exceed 200 feet.
Can sewer cameras detect leaks?
They can visually identify cracks, separated joints, corrosion, and other defects that often lead to leaks, although they do not directly measure water leakage.
Are sewer cameras waterproof?
Yes. Professional sewer cameras are specifically designed to operate in wet, muddy, and submerged pipeline environments.
Do sewer cameras record video?
Most modern systems allow users to record video, capture photos, and store inspection files on SD cards or USB drives.
Who uses sewer cameras?
Plumbers, drain cleaning companies, home inspectors, municipalities, facility managers, and property owners all use sewer cameras for pipeline inspections.
