Drain & Sewer Camera Inspection in Chattanooga, TN
Camera inspections in Chattanooga carry a bit more weight here: older housing, plenty of mature tree canopy to cause root intrusion headaches, and ancient pipes that have been through their paces after decades of keeping the water flowing. What’s happening underground from Ooltewah to Fort Wood is a vastly different picture; a licensed camera inspection in the Scenic City is the way to find out what’s happening, and then make a plan of action.
Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical has been cleaning drains and giving Chattanoogans a chance to keep that water flowing uninterrupted via professional camera inspections. It’s the foundation of every drain- and plumbing-related job we do here in the Tennessee Valley.
What Pioneer’s Camera Inspection Shows
A drain camera’s a waterproof camera that we feed into a drain (through a cleanout, floor drain, toilet, etc.), and it transmits live video to us as we feed it through. But what matters is what we find down there. Here’s what our camera inspections show.
Root Intrusion
The mature tree canopy here means there’s plenty of opportunity for old tree roots to snake through looking for vulnerable sections of your sewer laterals. Pioneer will spot those entry points the roots are zeroing in on, whether the intrusion’s early on or in a critical state, and make a plan for rooter services.
Pipe condition and material
Overall, camera inspections tell us what type of pipe you have and what condition it’s in. For Chattanoogans, that means it could be majorly outdated clay and cast iron pipes that are prone to cracking and corrosion. If we discover those old pipes, depending on their condition, we might need to move toward repair vs. replacement conversations.
Any joint separation and pipe belly
Any separated joints and pipe belly (a sagged section) are both visible on camera, and they need addressing ASAP. We actually find both of these the most in pipes in the Valley because of the trees and the soil constantly saturated from our 50+ inches of rainfall every year.
Blockages and buildup
Your drains are probably no stranger to food scraps, soap scum, organic buildup, and mineral scale. Those are the main blockages we deal with, and feeding a camera through the pipe paints the picture for our crew. We’ll recommend rooter services, straightforward drain cleaning, or hydrojetting to get everything back to working order.
Post-repair checks
A post-repair look through the video feed’s our way of making 100% sure everything’s looking good. We do this after any major burst pipe repair, rooter service, or trenchless sewer repair.
When Chattanooga Homeowners Should Schedule Camera Inspection
When should you ask for a camera inspection? Here are your signs.
- Before purchasing an older home (pre-1970s)
- When multiple fixtures are draining slowly, all at the same time
- After any big sewer backup
- As part of your annual plumbing inspection or maintenance
- After rooter service or trenchless repairs
- Before a big home renovation or addition
- When your drain problems keep coming back
Dealing with any of these scenarios? Give us a call and we can get out to you ASAP for a camera inspection.
Camera Inspection and Chattanooga’s Pre-Purchase Real Estate Market
Buying a home is a big decision, one that needs you to dot your i’s and cross your t’s. A drain camera inspection’s part of the whole picture. North Shore, Southside, Fort Wood, St. Elmo, and Highland Park are some of the most active markets, both for renovations and home sales, meaning that prospective buyers need to do their due diligence. Greater Chattanooga’s median home price is right around $360,000, so there’s simply too much capital on the line.
A camera inspection before buying gives the buyer some great leverage via documented evidence of any potential pipe issues before signing. On the flipside, sellers who do their due diligence and provide a ‘clean bill of health’ for their home however they can are in a great position, too. Pioneer does the inspection and provides clear, in-depth documentation for you.
Schedule Your Camera Inspection in Chattanooga, TN, Today!
Get a clearer picture of what’s going on under the surface. Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical has been checking pipes and drains since 1981. With generations of satisfied customers, we’re proud to be Chattanooga’s go-to drain cleaning crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a drain camera inspection take in Chattanooga?
It shouldn’t take long; about 30 minutes to an hour. It really depends on how long the sewer line is and how easy it is to access it. If your home’s older and doesn’t exactly have an easy-to-access clean out, we’ll feed it through the toilet or floor drain. That’ll add time, but still, overall, not too long from start to finish.
How often should Chattanooga homeowners schedule drain camera inspection?
We recommend annual camera inspections. Like a lot of home maintenance, once a year’s a great way to get into a rhythm of checking everything out regularly enough to get a jump start on fixing problems before they have a chance to really evolve into something more serious (and more expensive). Check out our Crockett Club membership for more info and benefits on annual maintenance!
Does camera inspection require digging or disruption to my Chattanooga yard?
Not, not at all. It’s completely noninvasive. The camera goes right into the existing cleanout, floor drain, or toilet. You won’t have to worry about more intensive procedures like your standard sewer line repair (that’s why we recommend trenchless sewer repair when it’s the right move), and that’s what makes it the natural first diagnostic step toward fixing whatever drain problems you have.