Six DIY Tips For Making And Using Your Owner Sewer Camera
If you have a blocked sewer drain, a camera can help you find the block so that you can decide what to do. You can pay a professional to do this for you, or you can rent a sewer camera and check out the situation on your own. Alternatively, if you're feeling crafty, you can make your own sewer camera. Here's a look at the process.
1. Gather the Materials
Buying your own premade sewer camera is expensive and typically not worth the cost unless you are a plumbing professional. However, you can sometimes find the pieces you need for well under the cost of a dedicated drain camera. Essentially, you need a set of drain rods featuring a threaded end, and you also need a small camera with a long USB cord attached to it.
Before hitting order, compare the total of these items to the cost of renting a sewer camera. If you have to order everything, it may be less expensive to just rent a camera. However, if you already own sewer rods or a camera, it may be cheaper to make your own.
2. Test the Camera
Before attaching the camera to the sewer rods, take a few moments to test out the camera. Ideally, you want it to be able to focus when close to objects. Keep in mind that while in the drain, the camera will be in a tight spot, and it will need to show you images of things that are almost immediately next to it.
3. Attach the Camera
Once you are confident about the camera's ability to focus close up, attach the camera to the threaded end of one of your sewer rods. It should be securely attached to minimize the risk of it falling off, but you may also want a quick release so that you can pull up the camera if the rods get stuck. A bit of tape can work perfectly, but only use a piece or two so that you can snap the camera loose if needed. Don't wrap the whole thing in duct tape.
4. Connect the Camera to Your Computer
Most of these small USB cameras can be connected to a laptop, and while filming, the camera sends footage directly to the laptop. Find a safe space where you can place your laptop so that it won't get wet if anything splashes out of the drain. Then, make sure that the USB cord is positioned so that it's unlikely to get caught on anything. If the cord pulls out of your computer, the camera will likely stop recording, and you will lose your images.
5. Push the Rods into the Drain
Now that the camera is attached, you can start pushing the rods into the drain. Push them in slowly so you can maintain control, and if you feel a blockage, turn to the rods clockwise. This creates an effect similar to drilling or using a screwdriver, and it helps the rods to get past any blockages.
6. Look for blockages
As you push the rods into your drain, look for blockages. Items to look for include tree roots, built up debris, or corroded pipe. If you see anything, try to ascertain where the camera is in the pipe. Then, identify the corresponding spot on your lawn. Ultimately, if you decide to do your own repairs, you will need to dig into this spot, cut out the blocked or broken pipe work, and replace it with a new one.
Building and using your own sewer camera can be a fun project, but if you decide that you would rather have help from the pros, contact a sewer camera rental company today.
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