It’s crucial to perform regular drain line inspections to keep your house clean and healthy. For the removal of wastewater and to avoid sewage blockage, a well-working drainage system is essential. Yet, with time, drains may clog, corrode, or get damaged, which causes serious issues. It is crucial to schedule routine drain line inspections before the problem worsens.

A drain line inspection involves checking the condition of your drain pipes using advanced equipment and techniques. With advancements in technology, drain inspection has become easier.

Video drain inspection is a popular drain inspection method where drain camera inspection services use high-tech cameras to identify any issues with your drain system, from blockages to cracks.

This article will discuss the importance of inspecting drainage, how to conduct inspections, and how long inspections take.

Why Is It Important To Inspect Drainage?

Drainage issues are not noticeable until the problem becomes severe, and regular inspections can identify minor issues before they turn into costly repairs or replacements.

Here are some reasons why inspecting your drain lines regularly is important.

Prevent Blockages

Blockages in your drain lines can cause water to back up, leading to flooding, nasty smells, and water damage to your property. Regular inspections can detect and clear potential blockages before they cause significant damage.

Early Detection Of Leaks

Leaks in drain pipes can cause water to seep into the foundation of your home, leading to structural damage and mold growth. Early detection of leaks can save you a lot of money in repairs and prevent further damage to your property.

Prevents Expensive Repairs

Inspections can help maintain your drain lines and extend their lifespan. By identifying potential issues and fixing them immediately, you can avoid costly replacements and keep your drainage system in good condition.

Read a related blog about Sewer Pipe Replacement.

What You Need To Know About Drain Pipe Inspections

How Do You Test A Drain Pipe?

Checking the flow rate, detecting leaks, and identifying blockages are part of the drain testing process. While you can conduct drain line inspection yourself, it is better to contact drain inspection services as they can use more advanced and complex methods of drain line inspection and identify problems more accurately.

Drain inspection services use many different drain testing methods, including the following.

Air Testing

Air testing is a quick and effective method to check that drain lines and single pipes are functioning properly. This is done by sectioning off a specific part of the drain with two separate gauges and setting the pressure to 110 mm head for five minutes.

Both of these gauges will then read the pressure. After that, adjust the head for five minutes to a 100mm head, which will help measure any significant pressure fluctuations.

This technique is effective for determining whether there are issues, but you cannot use this method for all types of drains and systems because the technique only works on blocked drainage at both ends and is very sensitive to temperature changes.

For example, a temperature drop of just 1 degree inside the pipe may be sufficient to cause the test to fail.

Water Testing

To conduct this test, you must tie two ends of a system and fill it with water. Once done, monitor the water levels at a manhole or access point.

The water test should not be conducted with additional pressure, and the water level should not rise more than 1.5 meters above the drain being tested’s lowest invert level. The advantage of this method is that it may test an entire system at once.

Flow Rate Test

To determine the flow rate of your drain pipe, run water down it and time how long it takes to drain. A blockage or damage may be the cause of a system’s poor drainage.

The flow rate is typically expressed in liters per second or gallons per minute, and you can compare it to the expected flow rate. If the measured flow rate is lower than expected, it may indicate a blockage or other issue within the drainage system that you need to address.

Dye Test

You can use a dye test to find leaks by putting dye in the water. If the dye does appear in unexpected places, it indicates a leak or break in the drainage system that allows water to escape.

CCTV Drain Inspections/Video Drain Inspection

CCTV drain inspections, sometimes called video drain inspections, use high-resolution cameras to see into your drain pipes.

A long, flexible wire connected to the camera is typically inserted into the pipe through a drain. Using a monitor or screen, you can see the inspector’s view of the real-time video footage taken by the camera of the pipe inside.

Drain camera inspection services carry out CCTV drain inspections to help identify any potential problems in the drain.

How Long Does A Drain Line Inspection Take?

A drain inspection takes time, depending on your property’s size and the drainage system’s complexity. It usually takes a few hours if you’re living on a larger property with a complicated drainage system, but it can take as little as 30 minutes if you live in a smaller house with a simple drainage system.

Depending on the problems found during the inspection, it could take a long time. Another factor that affects the time it takes to inspect the drain line is the method of assessment. For example, drain camera inspection services can get the job done quicker than one that uses air testing.

Regular inspections are essential to ensure the smooth flow of wastewater and prevent potential problems. You can avoid costly repairs and replacements by detecting minor issues early on. Early detections can also help prevent flooding, molding, or other issues weakening your home’s structure.

Whether it be drain video inspections that use high-quality CCTV cameras, manual inspections that require checking the flow of water, or any other method, you must reach out to reputable drain inspection services that can help you maintain your drainage system and keep it in good condition.

Contact a professional drain inspection service today and schedule your next drain line inspection to avoid potential drainage problems.

Did you find this guide helpful? You can also read another Guide to Toilet Installation.