Why Are Drainage Camera Inspections a Good Idea?

If you have developed a blockage in your property's wastewater pipe, then it can become quite tricky to determine where the fault lies. Although many plumbers will be able to clear a blocked drain for you by rodding through it, this will not necessarily deal with the problem on a long-term basis. After all, once a drain has become blocked it can happen again – sometimes quite soon afterwards. Therefore, even if you have not had a recurring problem with clogged-up drains, camera inspections can be worth the time and trouble. What do you need to know about camera inspections conducted by plumbers and why do they often make so much sense?

• Locate the Relevant Property

To begin with, camera inspections will be able to let you know exactly the location of a blocked drain. Given that most Australian homes and business premises have drains that lead out onto the public sewer network, it may be that you are suffering from blocked drains but the fault is on a neighbouring property. If through a visual inspection, you can demonstrate that it is a neighbour who has the clogged up drain, not yourself, then it becomes their responsibility to clear it. This way, a camera inspection could save you a significant amount of money by proving you don't have to take further action.

• Know Where to Rod

Even if your video inspection reveals that you are responsible for clearing a blocked drain rather than your neighbour, it can still be worth it. This is because only with a visual inspection are you able to determine exactly where the blockage is located. In other words, this will help you to establish exactly where you need to use your drainage rods from in order to clear the problem. Without a camera to tell you, it is often a case of educated guesswork rather than fully establishing the best course of action to take next.

• Inspect the Pipes

Drain inspections with a camera might be able to help you identify what is causing the blockage, such as nappies or sanitary items being flushed down the toilet, for example, but they can also help to survey your drainage pipes. If a root or some excavation work has damaged an underground pipe, then a video inspection will let you know which, if any, sections of it you will need to dig up and replace. This can be much more cost-effective than simply replacing the entire drain, of course.