Drain & Sewer Camera Inspection

Drain Camera Inspection in Ottawa

Summit Drain and Plumbing is a leading plumbing company based in Ottawa. Although we are experts in tackling various plumbing emergencies, we believe that prevention is far better than cure when it comes to protecting you and your home, especially in Ottawa. One of the services we offer is drain and sewer camera inspection.

This is to keep your pipes in good working order so that you catch any drain and sewer issues before there is a disastrous blockage or overflow situation.

Our Drain Camera Services Include

Early detection of potential drain problems – Our cameras are able to note areas in the drain or sewer system where drainage might be an issue. We can then intervene before you even register that there was an issue to begin with.

Prevention of larger drain or sewer problems – We are also able to see where there is buildup or obstruction. This is usually due to tree roots, items that shouldn’t have been flushed, or normal buildup that occurs over time.

Detecting problems without property damage or excavation – Instead of a lot of guesswork that is costly, time-consuming, and damaging to your property, we are able to quickly isolate the problem through our cameras.

Drain & Camera Camera Inspection Cost

Our standard drain and sewer line camera inspection cost is $350. We use the video camera footage for our own maintenance and diagnostic purposes, but you are welcome to access it.

It is available upon request. Please note that obtaining this footage is subject to additional fees.

Drainage Solutions for Ottawa

Ottawa residents can be assured that Summit Drain and Plumbing can solve any sewer or drainage issues they may come across.

Water damage in the house

Whether there is a leak or backup in your pipes that is bringing water into your house, we quickly find and fix the problem to minimize the damage.

Broken sewer lines

Our cameras can detect broken sewer lines, whether they have deteriorated over time or have been compromised by blockages or extreme weather conditions such as flooding.

Collapsed sewer lines

We also handle instances when sewer lines collapse due to misalignment or surrounding leaks that have slowly eroded the lines.

Slow drainage

If you find that your pipes are draining more slowly than usual, our drain camera inspection finds the source of the blockage. We can then work to resume normal flow.

Clogged sewers

Our camera inspection system also helps us to discover whether clogged sewers are due to backups, blockages, or overflowing so that we can quickly provide a solution for you.

Prevent Drainage Problems Before They Start

Plumbing camera inspections are the way to go. When you come across issues in your plumbing system that prevent clean water from coming in and used water from flowing out efficiently, time is of the essence. The longer the problem exists, the more costly the repair will be. Instead of waiting for an emergency to occur, use our cost-effective, time-efficient, and less invasive camera inspection process to catch concerns before they become bigger issues.

FAQ

A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.

If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.

You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.

There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.

If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.

Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.

There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:

Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.

Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.

Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.

Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.

Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.

When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.

Rock salt
Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.

Foaming root killers
Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.

Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.

Should I replace old pipes?
There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.