Tag Archives: Drain Camera Inspection

13
Dec
2019

Do you have a pipe leak in your home? Is it difficult to diagnose the exact location from where the leak is coming from?

If so, please continue reading for more information.

The latest technologically advanced pipe inspection methods will let you find the exact location of the pipe leak and immediately fix it.

Keeping your plumbing pipes in good condition isn’t always easy because of the inherent difficulty in diagnosing the location of leaks and cracks.

When there is a leak, it’s difficult to tell the exact location of the leak by just looking at the pipe system.

You may need to dig up the pipes to find the actual leak or crack – which isn’t an easy task for an inexperienced homeowner.

Most homeowners don’t realise the extent of the damage to their pipes until the problem has begun to spread to the surrounding areas.

That’s why you need to schedule a pipeline inspection every year. You should always rely on a water leak detection specialist in your local area for such an inspection.

This article provides information on some of the most popular and trusted pipe inspection methods used today.

Pushcam
Solo Cam
Lateral Launch Cam
Sonde Location

Pushcam

A push cam is a camera at the end of a long cord. This cord will be inserted into the pipeline manually by the plumbing specialist.

This is one of the simplest forms of video pipe inspections out there. The camera will record a live feed of the inside of the pipe.

The live feed will be transmitted back to the plumbing specialist who is searching. The push cam will be retrieved manually by the plumbing specialist once the inspection is over.

However, the push cam method can become difficult to manoeuvre in certain parts of the piping system.

Solo Cam

Solo cams are remote-controlled units that are free to move back and forth within the piping system. They are completely independent and not attached to a cord similar to the push cam method.

However, this method cannot be used to detect deep issues in the pipe system because it’s not as far-reaching as the push cam method.

The solo cam method is growing in popularity because plumbers are realising the importance of a more autonomous camera system.

Lateral Launch Cam

The lateral launch cam is used to inspect piping systems besides the mainline. This is a robot with a secondary camera on it. The robot will move down the mainline and reach the brach line of the pipe.

At this point, the unit will send a secondary camera to inspect the problem with the pipe.

This is one of the best methods of getting a complete understanding of the piping system that serves your home or commercial establishment.

No problem will go unnoticed when you use this method correctly to diagnose piping issues in your home.

Sonde Location

This is a battery-powered pod attached to a cord that’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

When the sonde is inserted into the problematic piping system, it will give off an electromagnetic field while operating.

There is a separate device above the ground to monitor this electromagnetic field. This will be used to trace the path of the pipe. Clogs and leaks can be easily diagnosed with this type of device.

If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable plumbing service in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions.

We have more than 20 years’ experience in domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing with water leak detection our speciality.

Please call us today for all your plumbing needs on 0410 609 961 or contact us here.

19
Nov
2019

Are your sinks or drains blocked up? Do your toilet and sinks emit a foul stench that seemingly does not seem to go away? You might need a CCTV inspection for your drainage system. In this article, we explore the benefits of drain inspections for your drains and how they can pinpoint the cause of your clogged plumbing system.

CCTV drain inspections and surveys are a means through which professional plumbers can inspect the health and state of a drainage system. This non-intrusive inspection method is invaluable for drainage system repairs, maintenance, extensions, and upgrades.

Using the latest technology in drainage inspections, experienced technicians can identify blockages, rusting, damages and other issues in the drainage lines.

This method of drain inspection is the standard inspection method in today’s plumbing industry. It allows plumbers and leak technicians to glimpse inside the property owner’s drainage system in a fast, cheap, and convenient manner.

To understand the intricacies of CCTV drainage inspection, we will look at:

How drainage inspections and surveys are done
Why you might need a CCTV drainage inspection and survey
What insight can a CCTV drain inspection reveal

How Drain Inspections Are Done

As the name suggests, the CCTV camera survey involves using a camera and monitor to inspect and survey the drainage system. As such, every CCTV drainage survey and inspection begins with having the right tools. When you contract professional plumbers, they should come with all the tools required for the job.

These will include waterproof cameras that can function even when submerged in black and grey water that flows in the drainage system. They will also need crawlers, which are remote-operated and controlled mobility vehicles that increase the mobility and access of the camera to all parts of the drainage system.

Other tools the technician might come with may include access rods, crawlers, monitors, and sonar units. While sonar systems do not give a live video feed, they are useful in getting an insight into the state of the pipe where getting a live video feed is impossible to get.

With these tools in hand, the technician will develop an action plan for efficient drainage surveying. The plan will enable them to inspect and survey the entire drainage system in a fast and efficient manner, while also being thorough.

Then using the best tool available, they will probe the whole drainage system, getting a live feed of the state and health of the plumbing system. At the end of the process, the technician will write up a report on their findings and provide recommendations to the property owner.

What Insights Can A CCTV Drainage Inspection Reveal

A CCTV survey will obviously reveal the extent, location, and state of all the drains. This is critical when planning for building projects such as house extensions and renovations. However, the information generated from the survey is also helpful for people looking to purchase a property.

The survey will reveal the extent state and health of the drainage system and whether repairs and replacements are needed.

As for CCTV camera inspection for maintenance and repair purposes, the examination will reveal instances of blockages, tree root ingress, pipe damage, leaks, collapsed drains, animal intrusion, wear, tear, corrosion, and drainage displacement.

Why You Might Need A CCTV Drainage Inspection And Survey

Generally speaking, property owners should seek CCTV camera inspection whenever they need to get insights into the state of their drainage system.

However, these services are frequently sought after by individuals who are facing surface flooding, drainage issues, subsidence, or property owners building new houses or extensions.

Conclusion

CCTV camera inspections are a cost-effective and non-intrusive means of determining the exact state of a drainage pipe.

In the hand of professional drainage inspectors, the survey and inspection will help you understand what is the main drain problem in your home and what is the cause. From here, the technician will be able to provide a full detailed report for your plumber to repair.

If you have any questions or want to learn how Austest Pipeline Solutions can help your blocked drains, get in touch or send an online enquiry today. For over three decades, we have been providing specialised services across Melbourne including CCTV drain inspections, leak detection, smoke testing, and much more. Get in touch with us today to prevent further damage to your property.

12
Nov
2019

Do you know how easy technology has made it to detect water leaks nowadays? What used to take a long time to locate can now be found a lot more quickly. Find out why and what technology we have today to detect leaks around your property.

A leaking drain pipe can cause a lot of problems; poor water pressure, rising water bills, and potential damp problems that will damage your property, which are all potential hazards from a water leak.

Finding Leaks and Fixing Them

The problem with leaks is figuring out where they are and how to fix them. If it isn’t obvious where a leak is coming from, you may not even know that you have one until you get a water bill that is much higher than normal.

Leaks in your home are the easiest to detect as you might be able to hear the hiss of water or smell a musty odour that suggests you have a small leak in a pipe between your walls. The big problems come when the leaks are in hard-to-detect places.

How Technology is Used in Leak Detection

If one of your underground pipes is leaking then finding the leak can be much harder.

Firstly, the leak detection specialist will have to determine whether there is actually a leak. This is done using a pressure test. The plumber will shut off the supply and measure the pressure at one end of the pipe.

Modern equipment is more sensitive than the pressure measurements that the average meter can give so this will tell you with more certainty whether you actually have a leak or not.

However, it won’t actually tell you where the leak is. For that, there are several options, including:

Acoustic leak detection
Pipe tracing with RF transmitters
Thermal imaging
Slab leak detection
Video inspections

Most modern leak detection methods work using similar principles. They rely on using sight or sound or acoustic detection to detect leaks. A skilled plumber may be able to find a large leak just by using their ears alone and tapping the pipes in various places.

Digital leak detection uses similar methods but with much more sensitive computer technology doing the detection work. RF transmitters can help to detect leaks in metal pipes, while thermal imaging and video inspections can help with plastic pipes or smaller pipes.

One of the latest technologies which are being used by major water boards is a ‘smartball’, which is a bowling ball-shaped device with an acoustic sensor in it.

The bowling ball is pushed through the pipe by the water pressure and records its readings as it goes. It can take up to 12 hours for the ball to travel through the pipe but this is a good way to get precise readings from hard to reach piping.

Running a cable through the pipe with a small camera is another option for detecting leaks in difficult-to-reach areas.

Get Leak Diagnostics For Your Home

If you think that you have a leak in your property it is important that you get it fixed as soon as possible. If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable leak detecting service in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions.

We offer high tech leak detection services for both homeowners and commercial properties. Our services could save you thousands of dollars by helping you to detect a difficult leak before it does further damage to your home.

We can locate and fix leaks in a timely manner, preventing damage to your home. We can find faults that other plumbers have missed using our camera inspection services. Send us an online enquiry or get in touch today by calling 1800 532 533 before the damage costs add up.

19
Oct
2019

What is CCTV Drain Inspection and what is it used for? Most people think CCTV is only used for video surveillance but don’t know it can also be used for drain plumbing purposes. Let’s find out more about this useful equipment.

When most people hear the word ‘CCTV’, the first thing that comes to mind is video surveillance which takes place in most commercial buildings, city streets and other public places.

Well, they are not wrong to think this as CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television or in other words; video surveillance.

Now, you may be wondering, how does video surveillance relate to drain inspection?

Well, video surveillance is a technology that has a wide range of applications besides enhancing public safety and security.

Video surveillance is also used by leak detection plumbers to detect leaks and faults in drains and pipes.

What Is A CCTV Drain Inspection?

If you have ever been the victim of a blocked drain or pipe, you definitely know how stressful and frustrating it can be to fix this problem. Sometimes, your drain may keep getting blocked every now and then despite you taking the necessary measures to unblock it.

Blocked drains make the process of expelling wastewater from your home or business very tedious and sometimes impossible. If you are not quite sure why your drain keeps blocking every few weeks or months, a CCTV drain inspection may be the fix.

A CCTV drain inspection is a plumbing diagnosis technique that makes use of closed-circuit television systems to find blockages, leaks and other faults inside pipes, sewer lines and drains.

Why CCTV Drain Inspection?

There are many ways to diagnose a blocked or leaking drain. Drain diagnosis involves getting to know the root cause of the problem so that it can be properly addressed.

Traditional methods of drain diagnosis such as using wires and other materials require a lot of time and effort.

They are also not very effective meaning you may never get to know why your drains keep leaking or get blocked. However, with CCTV drain inspection, things get a little bit different and more sophisticated.

Drain diagnosis is done using state of the art video surveillance equipment. The tools and equipment used are tailor-made for this kind of job.

For instance, the cameras used to capture images and video are so tiny that they can fit in very narrow pipes and drains.

CCTV drain inspection enables plumbers to see the innermost parts of your drains and pipes, which would otherwise be impossible.

Recurring Leaks and Blockages

Recurring leaks and blockages are probably the most common issues that professional plumbers have to deal with. When a pipe in your building doesn’t stop leaking or getting clogged no matter what you do, you are left with very few options.

You can choose to carry out a CCTV drain inspection or survey to get to the root cause of the problem. Alternatively, you can choose to get rid of the affected drain and replace it with a new one.

The latter option is definitely more expensive and time-consuming than the former. It’s worth noting that recurring cases of drain leaks and blockages should not be taken for granted. Such problems are known to cause serious structural damage to buildings and other infrastructures if left unaddressed.

Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection and Reporting

There are many benefits to choosing a CCTV inspection for blocked drains and how it can help you save time and money in the long run.

If you have a leaking or blocked drain or pipe in your home or business, it’s highly recommended that you get a CCTV drain inspection done so that you can rest assured that the problem is solved.

A successful drain inspection that gets to the root cause of your drain problems can give you enormous peace of mind. CCTV drain inspections can detect a wide range of problems ranging from broken/cracked pipes, blockage/clog build-ups, root damage and even animal infestations.

Schedule an inspection today

If you suspect your drain pipes have a blockage, or if you want to ensure there is no structural damage in your plumbing system, feel free to give us a call 1800 532 533 or send an enquiry online today.

12
Oct
2019

Do you have a leaking pipe? Do you know the best way to detect the source of the leak? If not, then you need to keep reading as we discover how a camera inspection can help with your drain problem.

One of the reasons why home or business owners avoid addressing drainage problems is based on the complexities. For starters, it can be near impossible to find the source of the problem inside a drain pipe.

And simply sending a bunch of expensive and dangerous chemicals through the pipe system is not a guaranteed solution. You will be happy to know those drain problems do not have to be intimidating anymore. And you do not need to dig up the garden to find the source of the trouble.

By using camera inspections operated by professional leak detectors, sorting out drainage problems has never been easier. Therefore, in this article we will cover the following:

How Camera Inspection Works
The Most Common Benefits
Finding The Right Expert For The Job

Using Camera Inspection For Drain Problems

Drain cameras that are used to inspect pipe systems have a specific design. Not only are they long and thin like a snake, but they are flexible as well. This makes them perfect to send into any type of plumbing system without too much trouble. Of course, it helps if a professional is in control of the camera.

Once the camera gets into the system, it provides an image display to the technician at the other end. In saying that, it does not matter if there are tricky corners or if the problem is deep inside the system, a camera inspection can most likely help to locate the source.

The Most Common Benefits Of Camera Inspections

It does not require extreme measures

The great thing about going with the camera inspection option for a drainage problem is that it will not involve extreme measures. In other words, there will not be any digging necessary, unless the solution calls for it. However, even then, you will know exactly where to start digging, that’s how accurate the drain camera is.

Finding the problem is quick

Locating the problem has never been easier thanks to camera inspections. They bend, twist, and turn wherever the user needs them to. More importantly, it will give you a clear picture of what you are dealing with. So, you can save yourself a lot of effort, frustration, and money.

The drain problem can easily be assessed

In addition to finding the drainage problem quickly, it won’t be nearly as complicated as conventional methods of assessment. Not when there is a camera giving you the inside scoop, literally.

This means you do not have to play guessing games in terms of how to get everything flowing freely again.

It can be used in many situations

It does not really matter what type of pipe system you have trouble with. These cameras are designed to be versatile, as well as durable. Whether it is a drain that requires unblocking or a leak in the ventilation system, a camera inspection will be your best friend.

Tips To Find The Best Drain Inspectors For The Job

Now that you know more about how camera inspections work, it is important to focus on the specialists you call. Not every business will offer competitive prices and accurate services.

Even though cameras make it easier, a level of experience and knowledge is still required. So, in light of using the best people for the job, keep the following in mind:

How long has the business been offering pipe system solutions?
Are they helpful and clear about what they offer?
What are the costs?
How soon can they be there?

Whatever you do, avoid the potential damage to your garden or pipes with professional camera inspections. There are a number of objects or items that can get stuck in a drain, so the issue could be much smaller than you think.

Speak to the Drain Pros

Austest Pipeline Solutions are experts in this field with experienced technicians and knowledge to ensure fast results.

If you have a blocked pipe or other plumbing blockages that won’t go away, get in touch with Austest on 1800 532 533, or complete our online enquiry form for a quote.

21
Sep
2019

What are CCTV drain inspections and how do they help? Let’s explore a little more in the article below.

Drain pipes help direct wastewater away from your home or commercial building. As an essential component in any building’s plumbing system, drains experience constant use, day in and day out.

Leaks or blockages along drain pipes usually lead to the production of foul odours and/or unnecessary flooding of wastewater within the building or home property.

Closed-circuit television drain inspections can be used to assess the condition of drain pipes and with it, help property owners identify and resolve any hidden leaks or blocked issues.

Have you ever been interested in what the below are? Let’s find out!

What Are CCTV Drain Inspections?
Why Camera Inspections Are Necessary?
How Are They Conducted?

What Are CCTV Drain Inspections?

Simply put, CCTV drain inspections employ the use of highly advanced cameras and other equipment to assess the condition of a property’s drain system.

The plumbing technician or leak detection specialist handling the drain inspection assesses the condition of the drainage system by viewing a live feed from the cameras inserted into the drain plumbing system.

Why Would You Need A CCTV Drain Inspection?

Most property owners/managers will not see the need to have a CCTV drain inspection until they encounter serious drainage issues.

While it is true that CCTV drain inspections can help uncover all sorts of sewer drain issues, it is important to note that this service is also useful as a preventative measure. This simply means that CCTV drain inspections can be conducted periodically to assess the condition of your drainage system.

This makes it possible for property owners to identify and resolve any issues in their infancy before they develop into serious problems. Homebuyers can also use CCTV drain inspections to assess the condition of a property’s drainage system.

This means they can get a good idea of whether any repairs are needed before they commit to buying a property.

CCTV Drain Inspection Gear

To conduct these inspections, plumbing technicians have to employ the use of a variety of specialised equipment, as described below.

Cameras that can survive uses in low visibility underwater applications.
All areas of the drainage system, including those that are hard to see, can be assessed visually using these high-performance waterproof cameras.
To push the cameras into place, through narrow drainpipes and tight bends, flexible access rods are used.
For added mobility even in the most restricted parts of your drainage system, remotely operated crawlers are also used in addition to the access rods described above.

CCTV Drain Inspection Process

The use of the advanced equipment mentioned above may seem to make the CCTV drain inspection process more complicated than it actually is; however, as you will discover in a bit, it is nothing but.

Once the drain inspection technician arrives at your property, they will ask you a few questions about the issue at hand to ensure that they have a clear mental picture of what they are dealing with.

They will then set up their drain camera equipment and access the drainage system from the most convenient location.

After pushing the cameras into the drainpipe, using the most suitable method, they will then proceed with the inspection of the entire drainage system by observing the live camera feed.

After the CCTV drainage inspection is complete, the technician will recommend an appropriate course of action depending on their findings.

As the client, you will choose when to act and schedule any repair work as soon as possible, or schedule another follow up at a later date if no pressing issues were discovered.

Closed Circuit Television drain inspections rely on the use of highly advanced technology to assess the condition of your drainage system.

This ensures that you get an accurate idea of whether immediate repairs are necessary to keep the drainage system ticking, and how urgently the work needs to be carried out.

Call in the drain camera experts

Austest Pipeline Solutions have over 25 years’ experience in domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing with water leak detection being our specialty. Get in touch today for a quote from our specialists to have a look at your drainpipe issue and to prevent further damage.

13
Sep
2019

Did you know there is now an easier way to find where leaks are coming from in your drain pipe system? What’s more, it doesn’t require any excavation work and is a much cheaper method to use. In this article, we explore what is video pipe inspection and how it can help detect water leaks within your plumbing system.

Most home or business owners dread the thought of blocked drains and pipe leaks. However, it’s the damage and cost associated with these problems that cause real headaches. For example, when a pipe is leaking underneath the building, consider what it typically requires to detect and fix this leak. Some excessive measures might be necessary, unless, the right equipment is used by the right people.

What Is Video Pipe Inspection?

Video pipe inspection is a modern solution to several big pipe leaks and blocked drain problems. And in light of helping home and business owners to make the most cost-effective decisions, this article looks at:

Defining video pipe inspection
The benefits of drain camera video inspections
Types of drain testing

How Does Video Pipe Inspection Work?

In straightforward terms, video pipe inspection makes use of special cameras. These can be guided through many different pipe systems, move around bends, and go through water/waste without being damaged. Working with video or drain pipe inspection experts opens up a world of cost-effective solutions.

How Video Pipe Inspection Makes A Big Difference

Why should it matter to home or business owners that there are leak specialists using such advanced tools? Here are several reasons:

1. The Inspection Is Very Quick

Do not expect the camera leak technician to take long in finding the problem. Whether something is blocking the pipe, or whether it is damaged and needs replacement, the video inspection reveals everything the operator needs to know.

2. It Does Not Require Excessive Measures

When excessive measures are mentioned, we are talking about excavation which typically takes place when conventional strategies are used. In other words, there is a good chance plumbing professionals have to dig to find the problem. However, with a more sophisticated camera system, no digging is required.

3. The Problem Can Be Assessed With Accuracy

Without digging, assessing the problem cannot be done with 100% accuracy. Every solution is ultimately a guess, and there is no telling how effective guesswork can be. However, a video pipe inspection provides accuracy on top of all the other elements which is why it is such a viable solution.

4. Test An Extensive Range Of Pipes

It does not really matter what type of piping system you are struggling with. Given the cameras are flexible, small, and durable, they are able to slide into just about any system you need them to.

5. Video Pipe Inspection Is More Cost-Effective

When combining the cost of the excavation and possible repairs, as well as the cost of hiring professionals, it is not surprising that video inspection is much more affordable. Home and business owners do not have to dig up areas of their property just to find the problems with their piping system. The inspection can be incredibly quick if leak specialists with camera equipment are in charge.

6. Pipe Maintenance

Finally, spending a little more right now to assess the health of the piping system at home can help to prevent bigger problems down the line.

Types Of Drain Camera Testing

It is important to note that modern pipe inspections can be used for a variety of things. However, to give everyone a good idea of the most common reasons, video inspections are utilised for:

Blocked drains including tree intrusion, debris clogging up the system etc.
Water pipe and sprinkler leaks
Backflow testing
Damaged water pipes

Gone are the days when fixing something as basic as a leak would have cost you a small fortune. Especially if the leak is detected in a location that cannot be spotted without excavating. To make things worse, by the time the leak becomes visible, the water damage might already be done.

However, all your pipe problems can be assessed and solved much quicker than you thought. And it will not cost nearly as much as you think.

How Can We Help?

Austest Pipeline Solutions serve Melbourne and surrounding areas. Our trained specialists can perform video pipe inspections and sewer line detection to pinpoint a range of issues – from residential to commercial. Our video inspection equipment can find its way around pipes and locate any hidden drain faults.

To help you save time and money for your next project, give us a call today on 1800 532 533 or complete our online contact form.

07
Sep
2019

How can you tell if your fire sprinkler system has a leak? Being able to detect residential fire sprinklers could save your life. Here we explore why this is the case.

Home fire sprinkler systems are an effective and affordable method of protecting property and lives. The maintenance required on residential fire sprinklers is minimal compared to commercial systems and they are designed to last for decades.

According to the Central Savannah River Area Society of Fire Protection Engineers, fire sprinklers rarely malfunction, and the chances of a defective sprinkler head are less than one in sixteen million.

In most cases, only one sprinkler head is required to control fire and in a study conducted in New Zealand and Australia over 82 years of automatic fire sprinkler use, it was found that in 82% of fires that occurred two or fewer sprinklers were needed to control it.

It makes sense to ensure that fire sprinkler systems are inspected regularly and are well maintained to avoid potential injury and death from property fires.

Sprinkler Leak Maintenance

When a residential fire sprinkler system is installed each owner is provided with a set of specific instructions for the maintenance and testing of the equipment.

Some of the essential steps that should be followed include:

1. Opening the system test valve on a regular basis (recommendations vary depending on different manufacturers from once a month to about once a year) to ensure that there is water flow and if there is an alarm, that it is working.

2. Conducting occasional visual inspections of the sprinkler heads as well as any exposed valves and piping.

3. Winterising the pipes in the system the same as any other water pipes especially if living in a cold area.

4. Making sure that the control valve is always in the open position to ensure that the sprinkler system will operate in an emergency.

5. Replacing any damaged sprinkler heads immediately.

6. Do not block, paint over or otherwise damage the sprinkler heads.

How Does a Fire Sprinkler System Operate?

A residential fire sprinkler system normally sits at ambient temperature and the biggest challenge is when water at street temperature enters the piping that may drop the temperature by about 20 degrees.

This water is not delivered in a constant flow but in one charge under pressure. Normally we trust that the pipes are able to withstand the pressure without leaking, but there are no guarantees.

The system is usually pressure tested with water to one and a half times working pressure for at least 24 hours before being placed into service. If this has been done correctly the chances of a leak occurring under normal pressure will be extremely low.

It is extremely difficult for a homeowner to detect a leak in the system. Some homeowners invest in a very accurate pressure gauge but unless the system is valve-isolated until used, it will be very difficult to detect a small leak.

Water is a precious resource and we should all contribute as much as possible to save it. 90% less water is used by a home sprinkler system than it takes the Fire Department to extinguish a fire.

If you suspect that there may be a leak in the sprinkler system on your property, give Austest Pipeline Solutions a call to detect any leaks.