Sewer camera inspection is a type of utility locating that works by inserting a camera into a sewer access point or opening such as a cleanout. Depending on the scenario, a different type of sewer camera may be used to best complete the task. Push cameras can be used in sewer and water pipe applications that are difficult to reach or have small diameter piping. Push cameras are versatile due to their rigid, yet flexible nature – still providing high quality video inspection data. Once the rigid camera line is inserted into the sewer line, the pipe can then be located from the surface via a project manager locating a sonde that is attached to the end of the camera head.
When the sewer pipe system allows, robotic sewer pipe cameras are lowered into the sewer pipe through a manhole or other opening and can be driven through the pipe. These robotic CCTV video cameras provide a real time video feed to the project manager, allowing them to identify damages, pipe bellies or sagging pipes, sanitary sewer pipe obstructions, pipe cracks, root infiltration, or major sewer blockages. This video feed allows for real-time inspection information, but also records the sewer cameras path which allows for post inspection analysis and a detailed written and video report.
Private sewer lateral (PSL) pipes are difficult to locate via traditional utility locating methods. Robotic video pipe cameras can be outfitted with a lateral launch capability so that they are able to access and inspect lateral sewer lines from the main sewer pipe. The sewer inspection project manager can launch the camera into the sewer lateral and continue the video inspection into this critical part of the sewer system. These lateral launch sewer cameras not only inspect the lateral in real time, but they record findings for a post-project video report. Sewer video camera equipment is able to find dangerous cross-bores in sewer lines and more specifically in sewer later pipes.
Upon completion of the video pipe inspection, the video collected is compiled into a written National Association of Sewer Services Companies (NASSCO) report. This detailed report gives sewer pipe condition assessments by pipe segment. In addition to this NASSCO report, a digital video report is compiled via WinCan software. This video report also contains sewer pipe condition information in a video format.
