Technology continues to enhance the plumbing field and one of the most valuable advancements is the ability to inspect drain pipes using a video camera. This non-destructive testing method is invaluable, particularly for older homes and buildings that have drain pipes made of cast iron or vitrified clay.
These types of drains are laid in sections and are prone to being invaded – at the joint areas – by tree roots and other vegetation. Such an invasion will not only inevitably shatter clay pipes and rusted iron ones, but will cause a complete blockage long before the destruction of the pipe occurs.
Video inspection allows plumbers to see inside the pipes and thereby determine the best method of eliminating blockages.
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Well Worth the Cost
Video inspection isn’t cheap, as the equipment costs thousands of dollars, but the results justify the expense when a below-ground blockage has occurred. Referred to as a PIG, or pipeline inspection gauge, inspection cameras are elaborate devices that include lights, swiveling camera heads and sometimes even lasers to accurately measure distances within drain pipes.
Clogged Drain Fixed Efficiently
Using video inspection to determine the true nature of a clogged drain may save a lot of money if the blockage can be cleared with such tools as a rotating cutter instead of having to replace the entire length of the drain pipe. Also, a video inspection reveals the overall health of underground pipes and even the materials those pipes are made of. This is important as some drains have been found that consist of different types of pipe and without actually seeing it you would never know.
The plumber as well as the property owner is able to see (on a high-resolution video screen) what is going on inside the drainage pipes. If the problem doesn’t require immediate repair, the customer can have a DVD of the video inspection.
Other Uses for Video Inspections
In addition to identifying blockages and breaks in drains, video plumbing inspection can help in locating lost items, such as valuable jewelry, that have been accidentally flushed down a toilet. If your Vancouver-area home or business is experiencing slow drainage, or something valuable has been lost down a drain, call Clearly Plumbing and Drainage for a video plumbing inspection