What Is a Sewer Camera? An In-Depth Look

Running water and indoor plumbing make modern life possible. It’s difficult to imagine life if we still had to use outhouses or carry water from the well or river to wash the dishes. Today, we can wash the dishes in the comfort of our own kitchens, and our bathrooms are warm and protected. However, problems can still develop with our plumbing systems. A sewer camera can help pinpoint problems.

What Is a Sewer Camera?

A sewer camera is exactly what it sounds like –– a camera designed to peer into your home’s sewer line and spot issues that might be causing backups, leaks, foul odors, and other problems.

Sewer cameras take many forms, but they all share some similarities.

1. The camera: The camera is usually very small and mounted to the end of a flexible “snake.”
2. The camera end also includes a light to illuminate the interior of the sewer pipe.
3. The snake connects to a handheld unit that also includes a color display that shows the video feed from the camera.

Where Can a Sewer Camera Be Used?

Sewer cameras can be used almost anywhere. They can be used to explore blockages in drains and lines under the house. They can move through pipes in the floors and walls. They can also be used to explore sewer lines that run from the house to the main line at the road. 

What Can a Sewer Camera Detect?

Sewer cameras are simple, effective tools for identifying problems in inaccessible areas. These can include:

• Blockages – From toilet paper to grease buildup, blockages form in your sewer lines, causing water to back up into your sinks, showers, and toilets. 
• Breaks – Pipes can crack and break over time. This can allow sewage to leak out and into the surrounding environment, whether that’s the soil of your front yard or the wall of your home.
• Loose Joints – Joints in a pipe can be weak points and sources of leaks. A sewer camera can detect these leaks for a simpler fix.
• Root Incursion – Roots can grow around, into, and through pipes, causing blockages and leaks.

As you can see, sewer cameras offer the chance to conduct quick, accurate inspections that avoid hours of digging or tearing apart your home to locate the source of a leak or blockage. It’s never been easier to identify a plumbing problem and apply the right repair accurately. Contact Elk Sewer Village Sewer & Plumbing if you have any questions!