Homeowners are understandably irritated when the drains are too slow, water backs up into the tub, or the toilet overflows. They know to call a plumber, who will usually snake the drains first. If that doesn’t clear the problem, a sewer camera inspection in Durham is next.
If there’s no discernible blockage in the lines such as tree roots, small animal nests, or the usual suspects – soap scum and grease – homeowners have been known to remain irritated. Chances are good there’s a leak somewhere, but a sewer camera won’t see it. Here’s why.
What Pipes Look Like
Homeowners should understand first that pipes are full of sludge. The sides of the pipes are coated in it, making it difficult to see the actual pipe. Cameras can only show the professional and the homeowner what they can actually see. This means that if space is visible in the sludge, it may or may not represent a leak.
Pipe Condition
Movement in the earth combined with heat and cold affects sewer pipes. Each can cause ruptures in the pipes, causing leaks. However, the camera is sliding down the inside of the pipes. It can’t see outside the pipes, nor can it discern any conditions that could possibly cause leaks.
Thickness of Pipes
Most sewerage pipes today are thick cast iron or PVC. This doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t spring a leak, but it is unlikely. What the plumbing professional performing the sewer camera inspection in Durham might see is a space, but it might not go all the way through to the outside of the pipe. This means there’s no actual leak.
It’s easy to see a space in the pipes and assume it’s a leak if the plumbing is still backed up. To detect a leak, a plumbing professional will perform a leak test following the camera test. This is the only way to detect leaks and repair them.
