The sewer camera finding that scares homeowners (and why you should always get the video)
Watching a sewer camera is a lot like watching a doctor read a scope. Here is what you are looking at, and why a copy of the video matters.
Roots hanging down in the pipe are probably the finding that scares people most, because roots are the sewer problem everyone has heard of. But on almost any line that is not new PVC, we are going to find something, an offset, a bad joint, a belly, roots, or cast iron rotted out on the bottom. That is normal for older Pittsburgh pipe, not a reason to panic.
Our job is to tell you the truth with the right amount of urgency and give you real options. And you should always get a copy of your sewer video, with your home and the date on screen, even if everything looks fine.
Watching a sewer camera is like watching a doctor read a scope
I think a sewer camera is a lot like a doctor reading a serious test, or viewing a scope live with a patient who is awake and watching the screen. If I were watching my own scope with a doctor, I would not really know what was normal and what was not, but I could guess at what looked wrong. A homeowner watching their sewer camera is in the same spot.
You can tell when there is water sitting in the pipe that should not be there. You can see roots growing down into the line. When cast iron has rotted out on the bottom, you can tell something is off. Offsets, breakages, a collapse, they all look like there is a problem on the screen, even if you cannot name it.
The finding people panic about most
If I had to pick one, it is roots. Roots are the most well known sewer problem, so when a homeowner sees roots hanging down in the camera view, that is the one that gets them. It looks dramatic, and it is the thing they have heard horror stories about.
Here is the honest part though. On most lines, we are going to find something. To be blunt, if it is not a new PVC sewer, the chances we find nothing wrong are slim. There is almost always a box you could check: an offset, a bad joint, roots, a belly, something. A couple of reasons why:
- Old terra-cotta sewers came in 2 foot sections and they are old. Those joints are going to have issues.
- Cast iron in the ground here in Pittsburgh is going to be rotted. It is simply too old, and it tends to channel and rot out along the bottom.
So finding something is not a scare tactic, it is the reality of old pipe in an old city.
Our job is reality, not fear
I take this seriously, the same way a doctor giving a diagnosis takes it seriously. You cannot give too much levity, because you need the homeowner to understand the situation honestly. At the same time, you do not want to scare anyone. The goal is a realistic understanding of the condition of the sewer.
So we walk you through it: what needs attention right now, what is most likely to happen next, what it would take to be truly carefree about the building drain, and ultimately what it would take to handle everything, the building drain, the building sewer, the old house trap outside if you have one, and the run out to the lateral or the city main. A real professional gives you multiple options so you know what it takes to fix it today, soon, or permanently. If a section is bad, we can also talk about a focused spot repair versus a full replacement.
Always get a copy of your sewer video
This is something every homeowner should know. You should absolutely be able to get a copy of your sewer video, and it should clearly identify your home. Here is how we do it at Wahl Family Heating, Cooling & Plumbing:
- We shoot a full color video with something in the home on screen, the date, and the technician’s face, so there is no question whose line it is or when it was recorded.
- You can watch live on your own device. We can send a link and your whole household can watch us as we go through the sewer in real time.
- We record it to your profile in our software, so we always have it on file.
Video files are large, so we would rather show you live on site, but if you need a copy, we will get it to you. And get it even if everything looks fine, because if you go to sell the house later, or something happens down the road, you have a dated record of the condition. You can learn more about how we do this on our camera inspection page.
The quick version
- Watching your sewer camera is like watching a doctor read a scope, you can spot what looks wrong even if you cannot name it.
- Roots are the finding people panic about most, because they are the best-known sewer problem.
- On almost any line that is not new PVC, we find something, that is normal for old terra-cotta and rotted cast iron.
- A good plumber conveys reality with the right urgency and gives you options for today, soon, and permanent.
- Always get a copy of your sewer video with your home, the date, and the tech on screen, even if all is well.
If it is not a brand new PVC sewer, we are almost always going to find something, and that is the truth of old Pittsburgh pipe, not a sales pitch.
My job is to give you reality with the right amount of urgency, and to make sure you walk away with a copy of your video. Get the video every time, even when everything looks fine.
David WahlCEO & Master Plumber, Wahl Family
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Call 1-855-GET-WAHLFrequently asked questions
What is the scariest thing to see on a sewer camera?
For most homeowners it is roots hanging down in the line, because roots are the most well-known sewer problem. But roots, offsets, bellies, broken joints, and rotted cast iron all look alarming on screen. A trained tech can tell you which findings are urgent and which can wait.
What is a belly in a sewer line?
A belly is a low spot where the pipe has sagged, so water and waste collect there instead of flowing through. On the camera it shows up as standing water sitting in the pipe. Bellies often need excavation to correct because the pipe itself has lost its proper slope.
Why does cast iron pipe rot out in Pittsburgh?
Cast iron in older Pittsburgh homes is simply old, and over the decades it channels and rots out along the bottom of the pipe. Once the bottom is gone, the line cannot carry waste reliably and is prone to backups and breaks, so it usually needs replacement.
Should I get a copy of my sewer video?
Always, even if everything looks fine. A dated video that clearly shows your home gives you a record of the line’s condition, which is valuable if you sell the house or run into a problem later. We record every inspection to your profile and can send you the footage.
How can I tell if a sewer video is actually of my house?
A thorough company puts something identifying in the video, your home, an address, the date on screen, and the technician’s face. If a video has none of that, you cannot be sure it is your line. We make sure ours clearly shows your home with the date and the tech.
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Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, since 1980. HVAC, plumbing, water treatment, sewer, and bathroom remodeling, all under one roof, all done the Wahl way.