Continually backed up Drains require a Sewer Pipe Inspection

A clogged toilet or sink that need to be unstopped can be a simple job to fix if the blockage is inside the drain and not somewhere down inside the sewer line. However if after plunging the toilet and pouring a liquid drain cleaner down the pipes produces no result then it is up to the individual homeowner to consider that the repair job is beyond their capacity to fix. After calling for a plumber and explaining that wastewater is not draining or that it is standing in the toilet even after being flushed the plumbing expert might suggest a sewer pipe inspection to find out whether the congested pipe is leading away from the house or if there is an issue inside the home.

In the past an inspection of the sewer pipe meant digging up the yard and visually examining the pipe for leaks and any signs of trouble that could explain the blockage, but technology has allowed the professional plumber to inspect the pipes leading away from the house and under the year by gaining access to the drain from without digging up the lines. Inserting a camera and an auger that can clear out a large congestion a plumber is able to snake the drain and see what has been backing up the pipes inside the house.

If plunging the same toilet several times a week only temporarily clears the congestion then it is time to consider the possibility that a sewer line is damaged and possibly broken. After being treated by the professional the sewer should work correctly if the blockage was freed up and broken apart, but when a tree root or shifting earth has forced a break in the pipe the inspection can show the plumber where in the line to dig to make the needed repair and restore order to the household. Breaks can take place underground at any time of the year and are responsible for some of the drainage problems that appear both inside the house and outside on the lawn.

Should the sewer line be damaged the wastewater that is spilling out beneath the ground going to make the earth uneven and sink holes or marshy lawns will let the homeowner know that they have a serious problem with their sewer drain. Although the city maintains the sewers once the pipe reaches the street the responsibility to fix the pipes leading from the house to the road is on the people that own the home. After conducting a complete sewer pipe inspection a plumber can determine the cause of a congestion or broken pipe and go to work repairing the damage that has been done before cleaning up any mess inside the house.