Table of Contents
Things Plumbers Find With a Camera
Hair
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Hair – gets bundle up, knotted and lodges within the bends of piping. This causes a blockage and prevents water flow. Over time the blockage continues to accumulate more debris and a backup occurs. Many people try to use draino to dissolve the blockage. This is very dangerous and damaging to a pipe. It is also a health hazard to humans. The best device is a drain machine to completely break the blockage apart and dislodge it.
Tree Roots
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Tree roots are common in both water and sewer lines. The old maple tree in the front yard -though it is beautiful- can cause havoc within the lines going in and out of homes. Tree’s roots can grow for miles and are very strong and they follow where water is and they wrap around pipes. Eventually, the tree roots break the pipe as they enter it. This problem is usually diagnosed a camera fished down the line.
Toilet Paper Build-up
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While sending a camera down a line, it could be found that toilet paper is the cause of the plumbing problem. Make sure that you buy toilet paper that dissolves easy and never flush things like baby wipes and paper towels. The two are too thick and really do not dissolve at all. So, don’t flush those!
Snakes?!
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Yes. It has happened before where plumbers find snakes within sewer lines. A lot of right decisions has to be made by the snake for it to be possible though! First, the snake has to be within the sewer and slither its way from the sewer and the line that leads to the home and to a toilet. It is likely if it ever happens, the snake will come through a toilet on the ground floor because toilets upstairs are a real upstream swim.
Soap
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Some soaps can be a problem because of the ingredient of grease within the product. Grease after a while can build-up within the drain line of a shower/sink. Also, bars of soap if broken off and sent off down the drain can clog a line.
Busted Line
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Over time, sewer lines and water lines will break and you may notice because of flooding in your yard. But, if notice something fishy before that happens. A plumber may take a look with their camera.
Odd Things Plumbers Find With a Camera
Rings
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Since we are on the topic of random things. Rings are a common object that accidentally gets washed down the drain. Rings can be found within some P-traps or even further down the sewage line with a camera.
Mineral Build-up
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If you have hard water, you could have a mineral build-up within the line. Limescale and other minerals can cause damage and age your pipes real quick. If interested, read upon how you can tell when a new water softener is needed to prevent mineral build-up.