Although most tradies would consider having the right tools for the job to be half of any battle, from a drain and sewer professional’s perspective, it’d be difficult to even imagine taking on a job, much less completing it, without also having a picture perfect view of what they’re preparing to do battle against. It’s understandable, though.

Plumbers know only too well that theirs isn’t a trade that easily (if ever) forgives trial and error. Anyone who’s been in the business for any length of time, especially on the drain and sewage side, is perfectly aware that troubleshooting sanitary problems by ripping through walls, floors and lawns is a quick recipe for losing customers.

Especially without knowing the precise nature and location of what they’re looking for. It’s a business where, without the right tools and a perfect view, the career outlook is easy to predict.

Drain cameras for professionals

If you’re a drain and sewer professional, then you understand that from the moment you arrive at a location, the time spent identifying and fixing a wastewater problem is more than just a time and money proposition. There are very real health and welfare implications that go with it. That’s why having a modern drain inspection camera is quite possibly the most essential tool you’re likely to carry.

First and foremost, a drain camera sends a firm message about your commitment to professionalism because let’s face it, customers don’t call because they want someone tearing out their pipes. They call out of urgency. And with a range of drain cameras to choose from – from suitcase-sized entry level CCTV units with 30 metre cables, to high-end 120 metre cable units with transmitter sondes – diagnosing a drainage problems doesn’t have to be a costly escapade of hit and miss.

A drain camera allows you to:

· Locate problems immediately

Is the blockage you’re looking for under the sink, under the house, or possibly even under the sidewalk? With a traceable drain inspection camera, you don’t have to lose half a day – or pull half of the pipes in the house apart – attempting to track it down.

· Address the problem directly

After you’ve located the blockage, not only will you be able to identify the nature of it, but you’ll also be able to tackle it from the most direct path and with the least impact to the customer.

· Identify any additional problems

Your customer’s problem may have been a singular occurrence, or it may be indicative of a much larger problem. Once you’ve alleviated the blockage, the camera allows you to move onto a mitigation and prevention phase by advising where the next possible problem can reside.

What makes a good camera

Good drain cameras are much more than impressive looking bits of kit boxed up in a fancy case. They’re fully contained inspection tools designed to operate for up to four hours on a single lithium battery charge in both hazardous sewage and effluent wastewater. Among the features to look for in a good camera are:

• An IP68 rated digital CCD camera head for close up imagine taking;
• A 90 degree, wide angle lens with 360 degree panning and 180 degree tilting;
• A head-mounted, low frequency 512Hz sonde locator for camera tracking;
• Reinforced and insulated fiberglass cable with distance counter; and,
• Auto-adjust positioning which allows the camera to remain centred at all times.

At the heart of the package, however, will be a data management suite that’s suitable for generating editable reports and surveys of the information being captured by the camera. Look for an ultra-bright monitor and touchpad functionality that supports:

• Real-time video feed, colour image capture and video and still image recording;
• Flexisight™ Manager PC video inspection software; and,
• USB and compact flash connectivity.

In all, a true CCTV drain camera is a tool that takes your business to the level of professionalism. It means you’re equipped to approach any sewer or drainage problem proactively. You can rest assured that your customers are going to notice.

Name the application

Make no mistake: adding a drain camera to your equipment roster opens up a host of professional opportunities that may not have been possible with purely conventional gear. Whether it’s for residential or commercial sewers and drainage, municipal projects, or utility and pipeline inspection, cameras enable you to go further and deeper.

They help create 3D diagrams of hidden, buried, and simply undocumented piping networks for property owners, engineers, or regular maintenance personnel. Beyond just locating and clearing blockages, the applications are limitless. They can also be used for:

• Electronic drain and sewer pipe mapping;
• Leak detection in walls and slabs;
• Residential and commercial pest control;
• Water storage and detention inspections;
• Air duct and HVAC system inspections.

The final word

At the end of the day, if you’re a plumber doing commercial and residential drain and sewer maintenance, you know that customers usually won’t call until their problem has gone from bad to worse. When they call, they’ll be looking for an immediate solution that’ll also ensure the problem never occurs again.

Adding a drain inspection camera to your basic tool kit illustrates your commitment to providing solutions that are up to the task of conclusively resolving wastewater problems, regardless of their size. If you haven’t done so already, make time to inquire about one. You’ll be surprised what a difference it’ll make in your business.