What’s the old saying? What you don’t know won’t hurt you?
Well, whoever created that catchphrase certainly didn’t spend a career flushing gunk out of clogged drainage pipes in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Hey, wait a second…
We flush gunk, silt, and other unmentionables out of drainage pipes in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island! And let me tell you, most catastrophes occur simply because the homeowner wasn’t aware there was a small problem to begin with. The old ear test isn’t enough any more, not with the soundproofed drywall of modern homes.
These days the video diagnostic inspection process is usually our first step when we deal with a residential house-call. Heck, commercial and industrial spaces aren’t insusceptible to drainage and flow issues, so if you haven’t done your annual maintenance, then it’s probably time to shove a camera up there to make sure you’re free and clear.
Why?
1. Saving Money
Yes, it costs money to use the video diagnostic camera. We’re not going to come do it for free – it’s a valuable tool, and if we gave it away then we’d never sleep, eat, or flush out our own pipes at our own house.
But you know what it saves? Headaches, problems, and nightmares down the road. The flexible camera can weave its way through a pipe so you’ll know if you just need a jet drain flush or you have to replace large chunks of the system. You should only have to spend enough to fix the problem. Sometimes those problems are small, sometimes they’re big.
And if they’re big? Then you’ll be sorry you didn’t use the camera sooner.
2. Troubleshooting the Right Problem
Alright, so we’re all comfortable saving money, right? Of course we are. Another benefit of utilizing a video diagnostic before you start cutting or digging is identifying the precise nature of the issue, or getting to the root of the matter (get it?).
What causes problems in residential drainage systems?
- Tree roots
- Broken or damaged pipes
- Warped or sagging pipes
- Separated joints
- Pressure points caused by shifting or eroding soil
3. Get it Over With
In the past it took time, money, and energy to properly diagnose and treat blocked drainage systems – sounds a lot like your doctor telling you to ease up on the butter, hey?
Video diagnostics let you get in quickly, figure out what the problem is, and deal with it properly. A contractor uses tools not only cameras, but handheld devices that further pinpoint the problem, so you can fix your pipes, pumps, or forced mains that are plugged up.
That way you minimize not only the cost of repairing the issue, but the annoyance of having Chris and the crew in your yard.
Although that part is actually kind of fun.
