How Does A Sewer Camera Work? A Simple Guide to Understanding Pipe Inspection Technology

Not too long ago, finding a clogged or broken pipe meant digging up your yard or breaking into your walls just to figure out what was wrong. It was messy, stressful, and expensive.

But now, thanks to sewer inspection cameras, things have changed. These small but smart tools let plumbers see deep inside your pipes without tearing anything apart. They catch everything from tiny cracks to big blockages, fast and clean. But how exactly does a camera spot problems hidden way underground without digging a single hole?

What Is A Sewer Camera?

A sewer camera is a special kind of camera that is used to go inside a pipe and take pictures and videos inside a pipe. Imagine a mini-submarine that goes in your pipes and reports back the results of its investigation. The camera is located at the end of a long, flexible cable that is able to bend and move around all the corners and twists in your plumbing.

The cameras assist in locating blockages, cracks, tree roots, and broken pipes. Rather than trying to guess the location and nature of a problem, the plumbers can practically see both.

The Main Parts of A Sewer Inspection System

Every sewer pipe inspection camera has several important parts that work together:

● The Camera Head

The camera head is the star of the show. It's small enough to fit in pipes but tough enough to handle dirty water and rough conditions. Most camera heads are between 23mm and 50mm wide. They have bright LED lights to see in dark pipes and special glass that won't break easily.

● The Cable

The camera is linked with the control unit above the ground via the cable. It is constructed with tough components capable of forcing their way along pipes. It varies between 20 meters to 500 meters, depending on the depth or distance that the camera should reach.

● The Control Unit

This is like the brain of the system. It has some sort of display that shows what the camera sees. Operators can control the camera, record video, take images, and measure distance from this unit.

● The Cable Reel

The reel holds all the cable and helps feed it into the pipe smoothly. It also counts how much cable goes in, so operators know exactly where the camera is located.

How Does A Sewer Video Inspection Camera Work?

It is an easier process than you would imagine:

• Getting Ready: The plumber shall find an access point to your drainage, clean out, or drain opening.
• Inserting the Camera: The waterproof camera goes into the pipe on its flexible cable. The operator slowly pushes it through the pipe system.
• Seeing Inside: As the camera moves, it sends live video back to the screen. The bright LED lights help the camera see clearly in the dark pipes.
• Recording Everything: The system records video and takes pictures of any problems it finds. This creates a permanent record of your pipe's condition.
• Measuring Location: The cable reel measures exactly how far the camera has traveled. This tells the plumber exactly where any problems are located.
• Finding Problems: The camera can spot many issues like tree roots, cracks, blockages, broken joints, and corrosion.

Different Types of Sewer Cameras

Not all sewer inspection cameras are the same. Different jobs need different types of cameras:

● Push Cameras

These are the most common types. The operator pushes the camera through the pipe using the cable. They work well for smaller pipes and shorter distances.

● Pan and Tilt Cameras

These special cameras can turn left, right, up, and down while inside the pipe. This gives a much better view of the pipe walls and helps find problems that might be hidden from a straight-ahead view.

● Self-Leveling Cameras

These are the cameras that will always just remain right-side-up when the pipe turns or slopes. This increases the comprehensibility and convenience of watching this video.

● Crawler Cameras

For really big pipes, some cameras have wheels and can drive themselves through the pipe. These are used in large sewer mains and storm drains.

Advanced Features in Modern Sewer Cameras

Today's sewer video inspection cameras have many helpful features:

● High-Definition Video

HD-quality is observed in the work of modern cameras, and one can easily notice small cracks and other details.

● Digital Distance Measurement

The system has an accuracy of measuring distance travelled by the camera within 1 percent of the actual distance.

● Text Overlay

Operators can type notes directly onto the video, marking important information about what they find.

● Multiple Camera Views

Some systems can operate cameras in more directions simultaneously, providing a complete view of the pipe.

● Wireless Keyboards

Operators can easily add notes and information using wireless keyboards, making reports more detailed and helpful.

Why Use A Sewer Inspection Camera?

Using a sewer camera has many benefits over old-fashioned methods:

● Saves Money

The camera tells you precisely where a problem resides instead of digging up chunks of the ground to attempt to locate such. It leads to less digging, less damage to your property, and less repair expense.

● Saves Time

Finding problems with a camera takes hours instead of days. This means faster repairs and less disruption to your daily life.

● More Accurate

The camera shows exactly what's wrong and where. This helps plumbers choose the best repair method and avoid unnecessary work.

● Prevents Future Problems

Scheduling the check-up of cameras regularly would bring out the minor problems before they explode into major, costly issues.

● Documentation

The video record is also evidence, in case you need it to assist with an insurance claim or sell your house.

Common Problems Sewer Cameras Find

A sewer pipe inspection camera can spot many different issues:

● Blockages

Cameras easily find what's blocking your pipes, whether it's grease, debris, or foreign objects.

● Tree Root Intrusion

Tree roots often grow into sewer pipes, looking for water. Cameras can show where roots have entered and how much damage they've caused.

● Pipe Damage

Cracks, breaks, and collapsed sections show up clearly on camera. This helps determine if pipes need repair or replacement.

● Joint Problems

Where pipe sections connect, joints can fail over time. Cameras spot these problem areas quickly.

● Corrosion and Wear

Old pipes can corrode or wear thin. Cameras help assess the overall condition of your pipe system.

Vicam Camera: Leading Sewer Inspection Technology

Vicam Camera is a trusted manufacturer of professional sewer inspection cameras. With almost twenty years of experience in the industrial pipeline inspection business, Vicam Camera has come up with some of the best and most reliable, and sophisticated camera systems.

Vicam Camera provides a full range of inspection systems consisting of:

• Portable pipe cameras for quick inspections
• Pan & tilt sewer cameras for detailed examination
• Large pipe inspection cameras for main sewer lines
• Underwater inspection cameras for submerged applications

All Vicam Camera products meet international standards with CE and UL certifications. Their cameras include high-definition video, accurate distance measurement, and durable construction that the professionals rely on.

Vicam Camera Product Overview

Choosing the Right Sewer Camera

The criteria to look at when choosing a sewer video inspection camera include the following:

• Pipe Size: Ensure that the camera head can fit in your pipes. The size of the camera used in residential pipes is normally smaller compared to the one used in commercial applications.
• Cable Length: Choose a system with enough cable to reach all areas you need to inspect.
• Video Quality: Higher resolution cameras provide clearer images and help spot smaller problems.
• Recording Capability: Look for systems that can record video and take still pictures for documentation.
• Battery Life: Longer battery life means more inspection time without stopping to recharge.

The Future of Sewer Camera Technology

Sewer inspection camera technology keeps getting better. New developments include:

• Wireless Systems: Now, some cameras are even wireless, eliminating the need for long cables in certain cases.
• 3D Mapping: High-end systems can make three three-dimensional map of pipe systems, where the pipes interconnect and where faults occur.
• Artificial Intelligence: There is a development of smart cameras that can automatically identify and classify various types of problems.
• Better Image Quality: Camera sensors keep improving, providing even clearer pictures in challenging conditions.

Conclusion

A sewer camera has completely changed how we find and fix pipe problems. Instead of digging up your yard or breaking walls, plumbers can now send a small waterproof camera through the pipes to spot issues fast and without mess. These tools include a tough camera, a flexible cable, and a smart control unit that shows clear video of what’s going on inside.

Vicam and others keep improving this tech to make inspections quicker, more accurate, and affordable. With HD video, recording, and smart measuring tools, it’s easier than ever to keep your pipes in good shape.

Ready to explore professional sewer inspection solutions? Visit Vicam Camera today and discover cutting-edge pipe inspection technology that gets the job done right!