Issues that Pipe Camera Inspections Can and Can’t Detect

Sewer line cameras take precise and detailed snapshots and footage of the inside of damaged sewer lines. Commercial sewer service providers need these video feeds to conduct thorough repairs, while realtors need the photos and video to document underground pipe conditions before selling a property. It’s pretty apparent that scheduling a sewer camera inspection in Philadelphia, PA is beneficial in more ways than one, but how exactly do these types of inspections help?

The following are the issues pipe camera inspection can or cannot detect as per our technicians here at Integrity Environmental Services.

When to Use Sewer Video Inspection

Sewer video inspection services are mainly conducted to evaluate the condition of sewer lines. Video inspections are also utilized to locate or assess sewer line fittings, connections, water flow & direction, and the integrity of the sewer line structure itself, as well as to determine the type of sewer line and materials the line is made of. The high-resolution cameras send accurate details inscribed on the sewer lines to enable you to know the sewer line type.

A sewer pipe inspection will be able to help determine the location and size of blockages and drain clogs. Sewer line inspections enable plumbers to identify the location of common blockages, including roots, mud, and broken pipes.

When Not to Use Sewer Line Inspections

Although a pipe drain inspection can aid in the identification of even the most complex sewer clogs and connection issues, they aren’t useful in all sewer line repair situations. For instance, a sewer inspection can’t help you identify the following:

• Leaky sewer lines. Sewer cameras are inserted inside the sewer pipes so they can’t identify external issues like leakage. Most sewer pipes, including cast iron and PVC, are very thick, meaning even when they discover a hole inside the piping, it does not mean it extends to the surface of the piping.
• Soil shifting: The case of sinkholes, shifting foundation, and excess rainwater leads to the bowing, bursting, or shape change in sewer lines. These are mostly external issues that are not easily identifiable with camera inspections. A sewer inspection will only prove useful when the sewer lines have completely shifted or bent, preventing the smooth flow of wastewater.

Contact Integrity Environmental Services to learn more about our pipe camera inspections.