Winter has finally gone and the Spring rains have arrived. The last snow has melted, and at last, you can see the condition of everything that has been hidden for the past few months. This is a good time to consider getting a drain camera inspection, particularly of your outdoor drains, so you know exactly what to expect when those days of heavy rain hit. Most plumbing companies in Toronto offer this service, and you can usually schedule a visit with a telephone call.
Why Drains Smell
Smelly outdoor drains are a common problem after winter is over, and is usually caused by the remains of the leaves from Fall which have become saturated with water. The leaves then rot and this gives off an odor. If the weather brings a cold spell or two the moisture in the drains could freeze, creating a trap for anything else that goes down the drain. If that happens to be the remains of birds, rats or other small animals, as the weather warms up and they begin decomposing the smell may become unbearable.
What is a Drain Camera Inspection?
Drain camera inspection uses a fiber-optic CCTV camera that is small enough to insert into the pipes and drain openings. The camera is flexible and can easily navigate the layout of the tunnel. The video is viewed on a small color screen, which enables the plumber to identify the cause of the blockage or odor. He is able to examine the whole range of the pipe or drain for foreign objects, masses of leaves and debris, and even check for internal damage caused by wear and tear. The equipment is sophisticated and requires plumbing companies in Toronto to understand the technical aspects.
What it Costs
The cost of drain camera inspection depends on a number of factors, such as:
- The length of the drain that requires examination. This typically determines the length of time required to conduct the full inspection and charges related to labor costs.
- Ease of access to the drain entrance. If it’s necessary to dig up your driveway to access the drain, it’s naturally going to cost far more in labor and material costs than it would if there was an easy-to-reach manhole cover.
- Whether it’s part of another call. If the plumber is on-site attending to plumbing work such as the installation of new piping, the call-out for the drain camera inspection won’t incur traveling costs or additional labor charges. Many plumbing companies in Toronto offer free inspections as a value-add on any other plumbing work they do for you.
Next Steps
If your plumber discovers anything of concern during a drain camera inspection, he will provide you with a copy of the footage on DVD so you can view the results yourself. At that point, he will be able to advise whether you need to take immediate action, or if a delayed response is more appropriate. For example, if your problem requires the removal of tree roots, you may have to remove the surface section of the tree to access the roots. In that case, the plumber will provide an estimate for his part of the work and make an appointment to return once you’ve had the tree taken down.
Call us for a CCTV drain camera inspection and we’ll send out one of our technicians to examine your pipes.
