We use water daily for many reasons, and thus, we produce wastewater regularly. Similarly, we eliminate human waste by flushing it down the drain, which is then directed to a designated location through the sewer system. Without sewers, managing and disposing of these wastes would be difficult, and maintaining clean and sanitary living conditions would be challenging.
All of that said, sewer pipelines are essential and must be given proper care. This article will walk homeowners through the intricacies of sewer scope inspection, a good way to keep sewer systems in check.
What is Sewer Scope Inspection?
Using a specialized camera system, a sewer scope inspection entails inspecting the condition of a property’s sewer line. This is done by putting a bendable camera into the sewer line to look for damage, blockages, or other possible problems. It is often done during home inspections or when sewer problems are suspected. It gives important information about the condition of the sewer line.
Why is Sewer Scope Inspection Important?
Sewer lines must be on the list of your priorities for several reasons.
a. Diagnosis of Sewer Line’s Condition
Scope inspection is a key part of determining the condition of a sewer line in a property. Age, root systems from trees, shifting ground, corrosion, and numerous other factors can all cause sewer lines to deteriorate over time.
A sewer scope inspection looks at the pipes visually, through a camera, to find problems like cracks, leaks, or blockages. By figuring out the state of the sewer line, homeowners or potential buyers can decide what repairs or maintenance are needed.
b. Prevent Severe Structural Issues and Water Damage
Sewer line problems that go unnoticed and unaddressed can cause significant structural damage and water damage to your house. For example, if a sewer line has cracked or blocked, sewage can back up and cause flooding and severe property damage.
Leaking sewage can also seep into the ground, which can cause soil erosion and weaken the base or other buildings nearby. By investing in professional sewer scope inspection, these possible problems can be found early on. Consequently, this lets repairs or replacements be carried out right away, preventing more damage and more expensive repairs in the future.
c. Health Concerns
A sewer line that isn’t draining wastes properly can cause various consequences for your health. When sewage backs up, or leaks, dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens can get into a home making your property unsanitary.
These pollutants can get into the air and on surfaces, making it uncomfortable and even dangerous to live in. Sewer scope inspections help find any problems that could make your home clean and safe. By quickly caring for these problems, homes can protect their family’s health and well-being.
Ultimately, sewer scope inspections are important because they give an accurate picture of the state of the sewer line, which lets repairs or maintenance be done promptly. Taking care of problems as soon as they arise can avoid serious structure damage, water damage, and health problems.
When Should You Conduct Sewer Scope Inspection?
Sewer scope inspection requires specialized tools and equipment. It also requires skills and expertise to be effective. Thus, you should delegate this task to professional plumbers. As a homeowner, your responsibility ends in identifying when you need one and then letting professionals fix issues when necessary.
To help you gain insights into knowing when to call in your trusted plumbers, here are signs your sewer needs inspections:
a. Sewage Odor
Your sewer line may have a problem if you observe persistent sewage odors on your property. Leaks, cracks, or clogs in the sewer pipelines may cause sewage odors.
b. Slow Sink and Bathroom Drains
Sinks, toilets, and showers that drain slowly or frequently become clogged may indicate a problem with the sewer line. Due to obstructions or pipe damage, water may discharge slowly or not at all.
c. Occurrence of Mold
Mold growth on your property, particularly near plumbing fixtures or walls, may indicate a problem with your sewer line. Leaks in the sewage system or excess moisture from broken pipelines can foster the growth of mold.
d. Sewage Backups
Frequent sewage backups, in which sewage flows back into drains or toilets, indicate a problem with the sewer line. It could be due to a clog, a collapsed pipeline, or other sewer system issues.
e. Growing Vegetation Around the Sewer Pipelines
If you observe an unusual amount of vegetation near your wastewater pipelines, such as grass or plants, this could indicate a sewer line leak. As a fertilizer, sewage promotes the development of vegetation in affected areas. This could also suggest that roots obstruct your sewage line.
All in all, a sewer scope inspection is recommended when you experience sewage odors, slow drains, mold growth, sewage backups, or observe vegetation around the sewer pipelines. These signs indicate potential sewer line issues that should be addressed immediately to prevent further property damage and ensure a healthy living environment.