Common Plumbing Issues Revealed by Pipe Cameras and How to Fix Them


Plumbing Problems

<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Modern plumbing systems&comma; while designed to last&comma; are not immune to problems&period; Hidden leaks&comma; blockages&comma; or root intrusions can often go undetected until the damage becomes severe&period; That&rsquo&semi;s where a pipe camera becomes an indispensable tool&period; By offering a clear view inside pipes&comma; these specialized inspection devices allow plumbers to detect and diagnose issues with precision&period; In this article&comma; we&rsquo&semi;ll explore the most common plumbing issues revealed by pipe cameras and how each problem can be effectively resolved&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol>&NewLine;<li><strong> Clogged Drains and Blockages<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">One of the most frequent problems uncovered by a pipe camera is a clogged or partially blocked drain&period; This could be because of too much grease&comma; soap scum&comma; hair&comma; food bits&comma; or even junk&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">After the <&sol;span><a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;usaborescopes&period;com&sol;product-category&sol;industries&sol;plumbing-inspections&sol;"><strong>pipe camera<&sol;strong><&sol;a><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"> identifies the blockage&rsquo&semi;s location and cause&comma; plumbers typically use hydro jetting or a plumbing snake to clear the obstruction&period; For grease-heavy clogs&comma; enzymatic drain cleaners may also be used to prevent recurrence&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol start&equals;"2">&NewLine;<li><strong> Tree Root Intrusions<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Since tree roots naturally go to places with water&comma; your underground lines are a great place for them to grow&period; A pipe camera can visually confirm the presence of roots penetrating or surrounding a pipe&comma; which is difficult to diagnose otherwise&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Mechanical root cutters or hydro jetting are used to clear the roots&period; In more severe cases&comma; trenchless pipe repair or pipe replacement may be necessary&period; Preventive root barriers and copper sulfate treatments can deter future growth&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol start&equals;"3">&NewLine;<li><strong> Pipe Corrosion and Deterioration<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Older metal pipes&mdash&semi;especially those made of cast iron or galvanized steel&mdash&semi;are prone to corrosion over time&period; A pipe camera can reveal signs of internal rusting&comma; pitting&comma; or thinning of pipe walls&comma; which can eventually lead to leaks or bursts&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Depending on the damage&comma; options include pipe relining&comma; epoxy coating&comma; or complete replacement of the corroded sections&period; Finding problems early can cut down on repair costs and the chance of water damage&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol start&equals;"4">&NewLine;<li><strong> Sagging or &ldquo&semi;Belly&rdquo&semi; in the Pipe<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Sometimes pipes shift due to soil movement or improper installation&comma; resulting in a sag or low spot&comma; commonly referred to as a pipe &ldquo&semi;belly&period;&rdquo&semi; These sections can collect water and waste&comma; leading to frequent blockages&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">A pipe camera helps assess the extent of the belly&period; For minor sags&comma; increasing water pressure may help improve flow&period; For more serious cases&comma; the affected section may need to be excavated and properly reinstalled with adequate slope and support&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol start&equals;"5">&NewLine;<li><strong> Cracks and Leaks<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Hairline cracks or small leaks in the plumbing system often go unnoticed until they cause significant damage&period; A pipe camera can identify these issues early by capturing visual evidence of water seepage or pipe fractures&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Minor leaks can sometimes be sealed using epoxy or pipe wraps&period; More severe cracks may require pipe patching&comma; relining&comma; or full replacement&period; Catching these problems early can prevent mold growth and structural water damage&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<ol start&equals;"6">&NewLine;<li><strong> Improper Pipe Connections or Installation Errors<&sol;strong><&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ol>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Pipe cameras frequently uncover poor workmanship&comma; such as misaligned joints&comma; inappropriate materials&comma; or back-pitched pipes that hinder flow&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Solution&colon;<&sol;strong><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400"><br &sol;><&sol;span><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Correcting these errors often involves removing and reinstalling the faulty section according to code and ensuring all joints are properly sealed&period; In some cases&comma; trenchless technology allows repairs without major excavation&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Final Thoughts<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">The introduction of the pipe camera has revolutionized plumbing inspections&period; It replaces guesswork with clarity&comma; enabling plumbers to offer faster&comma; more accurate diagnoses and cost-effective solutions&period; From locating stubborn clogs to identifying deeper issues like corrosion or tree root intrusion&comma; pipe cameras are essential tools for both routine maintenance and emergency repairs&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><span style&equals;"font-weight&colon; 400">Homeowners and professionals alike benefit from this technology by reducing disruption&comma; cutting repair costs&comma; and maintaining the long-term health of plumbing systems&period; If you&rsquo&semi;re experiencing slow drains&comma; recurring clogs&comma; or mysterious leaks&comma; a pipe camera inspection could be the first step to finding&mdash&semi;and fixing&mdash&semi;the root of the problem&period;<&sol;span><&sol;p>&NewLine;

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