Preventing Plumbing Problems: The Benefits of Sewer Scope Inspections

Plumbing issues can arise at any time, often unexpectedly. But many serious and costly plumbing problems can be prevented through regular maintenance and inspections. One important inspection tool for preventative maintenance is the sewer scope. Sewer scope inspections provide a detailed look inside pipes to identify issues before they become emergencies.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the key benefits of sewer scope inspections for preventing plumbing problems. We’ll cover what sewer scopes are, what they inspect, what kinds of problems they can identify, and how they can save homeowners time, money, and headaches down the road.

What is a Sewer Scope Inspection?

A sewer scope inspection, also sometimes called a sewer camera inspection, uses a specialized camera on a flexible cable to visually inspect the interior of sewer pipes and drains.

The camera is lowered down into the pipe through a cleanout or other access point. It then travels through the pipeline, transmitting video back to the technician operating it above ground. The video is recorded so it can be reviewed in detail later.

In addition to the camera, sewer scopes often have a lighting system to illuminate the inside of the pipes. They may also have capabilities to measure pipe defects and record temperature differentials that could indicate groundwater infiltration.

What Does a Sewer Scope Inspect?

Sewer scope inspections are used to examine the following types of underground pipelines:

• Main sewer line – The main sewer line carries wastewater from the home to the municipal sewer system or septic tank. Issues with the main line can result in sewage backups into the home.
• Drain lines – Drain lines carry wastewater from fixtures, appliances, etc. to the main sewer line. Drain line problems can cause gurgling sounds, slow drainage, or water pooling in pipes.
• Vent pipes – Vent pipes help regulate air pressure in the drain system to improve drainage. Blockages here can cause sewer gases to back up into the home.
• Underground junctions and fittings – The joints between pipes, changes in direction, etc. are common failure points if installed improperly.

Sewer scopes provide a close-up view of the full length of underground piping and allow technicians to evaluate the condition within.

What Kinds of Problems Can a Sewer Scope Identify?

There are many types of plumbing defects and issues that may be lurking underground, undetected until they cause a major backup or failure. Sewer scope inspections can identify the following common problems:

• Cracks or damage – Cracks or holes in pipes allow groundwater, roots, and soil to infiltrate the system. These defects worsen over time if not repaired.
• Misaligned or offset joints – Gaps, offsets, or misalignments in pipe joints can cause buildup and blockages. They also allow infiltration.
• Root intrusion – Roots from shrubs or trees near pipes may penetrate cracks or openings, obstructing the flow.
• Buildup and obstructions – Grease, waste materials, and other debris can slowly build up and block pipes over time.
• Corrosion – Metal pipes may corrode from the inside over many years of use due to sewer gases or infiltration.
• Collapsed pipes – Pipes that have collapsed from age, soil pressure, etc. cause major blockages.

The sewer scope camera allows technicians to inspect pipes thoroughly for any of these issues and determine the severity. They can then recommend proper repairs.

How Can Sewer Scope Inspections Prevent Plumbing Emergencies?

The key advantage of sewer scope inspections is that they identify plumbing issues before they escalate into emergencies. As problems worsen underground over time, they can eventually result in:

• Backups of sewage into the home – Blockages in main or drain lines can cause disgusting overflows of wastewater onto floors and fixtures. Extremely hazardous, difficult, and expensive to clean up.
• Malodors from sewer gases – Gases escaping into the home due to vent blockages or dried drain traps have an unpleasant rotten egg smell and can contain harmful pathogens.
• Flooding in walls or ceilings – Leaking, overflowing, or infiltrating water from pipes can cause internal damage and mold growth if not addressed promptly.
• Complete failure requiring replacement – If problems are left unaddressed, pipes may fail completely. Full replacement is far more costly than early repairs.

Catching defects before they devolve into catastrophes is the preventative benefit of sewer scopes. Inspections can pinpoint issues so repairs can be made easily and affordably, avoiding emergencies.

How Frequently Should Sewer Scopes Be Used?

Sewer scope inspections on a regular basis are recommended to identify and monitor pipe defects over time. Frequency depends on:

• Home age – Older pipes have more wear and tear and should be inspected more often. Every 2-3 years is recommended for homes over 20 years old.
• Pipe materials – Clay pipes are more prone to root intrusion than PVC. Cast iron is more vulnerable to corrosion than ABS plastic. Inspect more frequently for riskier materials.
• Nearby tree roots – Inspect annually if mature trees are within 50 feet of pipes to monitor root growth.
• Prior issues – If previous inspections found smaller defects, re-inspect more often to monitor condition.
• Recent renovations or repairs – Inspect shortly after work that may have impacted pipes, before warranties expire.

For newer homes with modern plumbing materials and no known issues, inspecting every 5 years or so is reasonable. But increase frequency based on risk factors.

How Are Sewer Scope Inspections Performed?

Sewer scope inspections follow a basic process:

Accessing the Pipes

First, the plumbing technician needs to gain access to the pipes. Sewer cleanouts, often round caps found near the foundation, offer direct access points. These should be located throughout the pipe system.

If no suitable cleanouts are available, the technician may remove a toilet or use a drain like a laundry tub to access pipes. This may limit how far into the system the scope can reach.

Snaking the Camera

Once accessing the piping, the technician feeds the thin, flexible sewer scope camera cable down into the line. The camera lights the way as it travels through.

The technician monitors the live camera footage on a video screen and can rotate the flexible cable to navigate turns and junctions. They snake the camera through all reachable portions of pipe.

Documenting Findings

As they inspect, the technician watches closely for any defects, obstructions, leaks, root intrusions, etc. When issues are found, they document the type of problem and location along the footage counter displayed on the video.

The full video is recorded to review later and prepare a detailed inspection report. Still images and measurements of defects may also be taken. Findings are then analyzed to recommend repairs.

Reporting and Recommendations

Once the inspection is complete, the homeowners receive a summary report of the pipe conditions and any recommended fixes. Photos, videos, and diagrams may be included.

Any serious defects requiring immediate repair are highlighted. Recommendations may range from simple snaking to clearing obstructions, lining pipes, sealing cracks, or full replacement if severely deteriorated.

Key Takeaways on Sewer Scope Inspections

In summary, keep these key points in mind about sewer scope inspections:

• Specialized cameras allow visual inspection of interior drain and sewer pipes to identify hidden issues.
• Many common plumbing problems can be detected before they cause backups, overflows, or other emergencies.
• Regular sewer scope inspections, especially for older homes or pipes, provides preventative maintenance to avoid major repairs or replacement costs down the road.
• Cleanouts offer the best access points for inserts scopes. Removing toilets or using drains may allow limited inspection if no cleanouts are present.
• Technicians carefully document any pipe defects, damage, clogs, root intrusion etc. and recommend proper repairs based on findings.
• Homeowners receive a detailed report with images/video and repair options. Serious issues requiring immediate repair are highlighted.

Sewer scope inspections are a quick, minimally invasive way to identify plumbing issues in the critical wastewater drainage system before they escalate into serious problems. Investing in regular scopes provides peace of mind that hazards like sewage backups or leaking pipes won’t catch you by surprise.

Preventative maintenance is essential for avoiding costly plumbing emergencies and system failures down the road. So be proactive, and consider scheduling a sewer scope inspection for your home today