7 Features to Look for in a Professional Sewer Inspection System

When plumbers work with stubborn clogs in the pipes, drains, or sewer lines, they need to take a closer look inside the system to get a better idea of what they are looking at. With an advanced professional sewer inspection tool, plumbers can get a clear view inside pipes or drains. In this blog, we are going to look at 7 key features of a professional sewer inspection that should be considered when purchasing one.

A sewer inspection system includes a high-resolution camera that can be used alongside a long cable. This cable goes into the pipe or the drain to determine the site of the clog. A variety of professional sewer inspection camera systems are available in the market in response to the growing demand for fast and precise tech-driven diagnostics in the plumbing sector.

Here are the key features that a professional sewer inspection system must have to function properly. 

The Right Features to Look Out for in a Sewer Inspection System

If you are a professional plumber seeking a great sewer inspection system, look out for the following features:

Feature #1: High-Resolution Camera and Image Clarity

A high-resolution camera itself is one of the key components of a sewer inspection system. High-resolution results are needed for spotting the locations, type, and severity of the defect precisely.

Accuracy of the High-Resolution Camera

High-resolution cameras can capture small flaws. They can highlight the smallest cracks, pinhole leaks, and corrosion. These cameras are very accurate in identifying the defects. In a sewer inspection system, an HD video camera confirms issues identified by SONAR and LiDAR technologies. High-clarity cameras can accurately assess the interior of the pipes and cracks.

Cost-Effectiveness of the Camera

Another reason you should get an ideal sewer inspection system is its cost-effectiveness. A high-quality camera that can capture deeper inside the pipe or the sewer system can save the cost of substantial digging or invasive procedures and repair costs. Therefore, image quality becomes a foundational factor for accurate inspection using a video pipe sewer inspection system.

Camera Specs to Look for:

Here are the key camera specs to look for:

• HD or higher resolution for detecting cracks
• Long and flexible cables can suit pipelines with pipe faces of varying diameters. 
• Self-leveling camera head
• An LED light with high brightness, which can help in exploring darker pipe surfaces.
• Mandatory waterproofing for the camera housing must be IP-rated to protect against water, dirt, and hazardous chemicals. 

Table 1: Camera Specification Comparison Between a Standard Model and a Professional System

Feature #2: Durable and Flexible Push Cable Design

The sewer system inspection tools are also involved with a flexible cable or push rod, which is attached to the camera. This flexible tool helps to get inside the pipe or sewer. Therefore, this push cable should be flexible and have material strength while navigating long and complex pipelines. 

Material Used for Push Cable Design

Pipe inspection camera pushrods often use stiff fiberglass and yet are flexible enough to navigate through difficult bends. The cable lengths can typically range from 50 to 200 feet for different types of jobs, which include inspecting both residential and municipal pipes and sewers. The push cable must also be equipped with reinforced joints that connect to the camera.

Feature #3: Portable and Rugged Build Quality

Professional plumbers operate in risky conditions and environments, from wet basements to dirty construction sites. Therefore, the sewer pipe inspection systems must have durability with a rugged build.

Protection Against Physical Damage and Corrosion

The dark insides of the sewer and pipes not only contain dirty water, but they are often filled with corrosive chemicals, sewage, abrasive sand, and other debris. These can damage the camera and the pushrod used for inspection. 

Importance of Impact-Resistant Housing and Waterproof Gaskets

A push rod or drain snake attached with an inspection camera can be considered waterproof if it has a good Ingress Protection (IP) rating. An IP67 or IP68-rated system will exhibit a sealed camera head, which helps safeguard it from contaminants.

Feature #4: Real-Time Video Recording and Data Storage Options

A sewer inspection camera system can only be considered effective if it can record videos from the inside of the drain or sewers. New models of inspection cameras have these features to record and store the video.

Importance of Video Capture 

Recording video can become crucial for documentation and letting the client know what is inside their sewers or pipes. These videos serve as documented evidence that helps get the insurance claim. 

Memory Storage in Pipe Inspection Cameras

Memory storage in the pipe inspection cameras has multiple benefits for plumbers. An inspection camera equipped with built-in SD card storage or a USB export feature can help in documenting and storing the footage of the pipe’s condition.

To Ensure Client Transparency and Build Trust

Expert plumbers not only identify and repair the cracks and leakages inside the pipe or sewer, but they can also provide video-recorded documentation of the inspection to the clients. The clients can see the problem themselves, and a level of trust is established. Using this documented footage, clients can make insurance claims caused by the pipe issue.

Feature #5: Advanced Locating and Mapping Capabilities

A sewer health inspection system can help in advanced locating and mapping inside such areas of sewers that are accessible with other tools.

Sonde Transmitter Integrated Inspection Device

Modern drain cameras come with features like self-leveling heads for better viewing and sonde transmitters, which assist in locating the exact position of the blockages inside the pipe or the sewer. The accuracy of these transmitters is high, as they can be a pretty accurate device.

Many advanced pipe inspection cameras are also equipped with GPS mapping and data-logging software. Furthermore, this also helps identify the cracks and leaks. Some cameras are crawler-like. You can use them to access the complex locations. GPS helps with smooth identification and faster clog removal, ensuring high client satisfaction.

Feature #6: User-Friendly Interface and Display Options

Sewer inspection system tools are very user-friendly, as pipe inspection cameras are designed to work in different settings. These tools have a powerful functionality with user-friendly design features.

Easy to Understand Interfaces and Ergonomic Control 

The sewer inspection systems need to have easily understandable interfaces that can make the on-field operations faster and with increased accurate. The controls should be ergonomic to allow plumbers to find the right switches or buttons easily when removing complicated clogs from deep sewers and pipelines. 

Compare Traditional Wired Monitors vs. Touchscreen Tablets

Having a monitor hub is key to getting a clearer picture of the depths of pipes and sewers. Connecting a standard wired monitor to your inspection camera can lower its portability. So, viewing the footage from a touchscreen tablet is a more effective option. 

Many advanced plumbing cameras are nowadays equipped with Daylight Readable Monitors, which enable the plumbers to work in sunlight without issues of glare. 

Feature #7: After-Sales Support, Warranty, and Upgradability

After-sales support becomes crucial, especially for the tools required for plumbers who use them in emergency plumbing situations. Reliable customer support is important to support the customers if they face any issues regarding the tools they use. Therefore, choose only the brands that provide active after-sales support, warranty, and upgradability as required by the plumbers.

Importance of Add-on Accessories

Do not forget to look for brands that allow firmware updates or help to get add-on accessories like longer cables, bigger monitors, or upgraded cameras.

Final Words

A professional sewer inspection system will help run diagnoses more efficiently, and with higher professionalism and success rate. For professional plumbers, having a quality sewer inspection system is a profitable investment, which can drive more satisfied customers in the process. Evaluating the mentioned features in the sewer inspection tools, you will get the best quality tools and accessories, which will help you to do your work efficiently. 

Buy Professional Grade Sewer Inspection Systems!

Want to deliver high-quality sewer cleaning service? Consider getting professional sewer inspection systems that are built for durability, precision, and user-friendliness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Does Drain Line Location Service Work?

Ans. It works with the use of specialized pipe inspection cameras. They are equipped with advanced features to map out underground drain lines; the drain line location service can identify leakages and cracks. 

2. Why Camera Diameters Matter?

Ans. When buying a pipe inspection camera, considering the pipe diameter is crucial. While a camera with a smaller diameter can enter through narrow pipelines, a bigger camera is used for municipal settings. 

3. Can I Use Portable Battery Packs?

Ans. Yes, you can make use of portable battery packs. It will keep your camera charged and ready for emergencies.