Sewer Camera Inspections in Ellicott City, MD
There is no easy way to tell from the surface what is causing a sewer odor or a clog that will not stay put. At Metcalf Plumbing, we offer sewer camera inspections to find these hidden issues without having to tear up the yard or put an opening in a finished wall. It allows for a repair recommendation founded on evidence, not conjecture.
How We Conduct a Sewer Camera Inspection
Our technicians will run a flexible cable fitted with a high-resolution, waterproof camera into a cleanout or other accessible drain. The camera transmits live video to a monitor as it makes its way through the pipe. This gives us an unobstructed look at the state of the line and whether there is a blockage, a separated joint, a crack or some other form of damage.
The equipment is capable of navigating most residential drains and the main sewer line. We can document what we see, gauge the depth of any problem and put together a report. From there we can advise if the system calls for a simple cleaning, a line repair or a full replacement.
The equipment is capable of navigating most residential drains and the main sewer line. We can document what we see, gauge the depth of any problem and put together a report. From there we can advise if the system calls for a simple cleaning, a line repair or a full replacement.
What an Inspection Will Show
You may find root intrusion, corrosion, offsets, bellied pipe, grease or foreign objects. A tree root, for instance, can work its way in through a loose joint and grow within the line; it will catch waste and restrict flow, leading to a clog that comes back once you have done a temporary fix.
In Ellicott City, with its mix of historic properties, older neighborhoods and homes under mature trees, the underground plumbing can be subject to wear. Some of the material in an old line may have shifted or deteriorated. Then there is the pressure from the hills and the soil moisture after a heavy Maryland rain. Our inspection distinguishes between normal buildup and structural trouble.
If one is dealing with gurgling toilets, slow drains in more than one place, wastewater in the basement or odors that keep coming back, it is usually a sign of something more than a single fixture being at fault. Getting in early can stop contaminated water from making its way through the house.
In Ellicott City, with its mix of historic properties, older neighborhoods and homes under mature trees, the underground plumbing can be subject to wear. Some of the material in an old line may have shifted or deteriorated. Then there is the pressure from the hills and the soil moisture after a heavy Maryland rain. Our inspection distinguishes between normal buildup and structural trouble.
If one is dealing with gurgling toilets, slow drains in more than one place, wastewater in the basement or odors that keep coming back, it is usually a sign of something more than a single fixture being at fault. Getting in early can stop contaminated water from making its way through the house.
When to Call for Service
It is prudent to have a look with a camera if a blockage is persistent or if a drain cleaning has only been a short-lived solution. We also do this for property purchases where the underground plumbing is in question, or before any major landscaping or remodeling is undertaken near the line.
Knowing where the problem lies means less disruption and no unnecessary digging. If the pipe is sound, we can do a targeted cleaning. Should there be a collapse or severe root damage, replacement is the answer.
Knowing where the problem lies means less disruption and no unnecessary digging. If the pipe is sound, we can do a targeted cleaning. Should there be a collapse or severe root damage, replacement is the answer.
Sewer Camera Service in Ellicott City
We are pleased to be of service in Ellicott City, from the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum and historic Main Street to the more wooded parts of town. With our professional video gear we can get to the bottom of a backup and outline the proper course of action for the repair, all while keeping the property safe from further harm.