One of the main reasons to call in a professional plumber (rather than attempt some do-it-yourself work) is the kind of equipment they use: items that are expensive for most homeowners who likely won’t need such equipment more than a handful of times at the most. With winter on its way and issues such as frozen and cracked pipes making professional plumbing calls more common, it’s important to know what kind of service you’re getting with a trained plumber. That includes the kind of equipment they use and the specific ways it helps them solve your plumbing problems faster. We’ve provided a sample list of three tools used by professional plumbers to give you a sense of what we can bring to the table.
Video Camera Inspection
If you have a cell phone, chances are it comes with its own video camera and light: small enough to fit on your fingernail. You can use it to take pictures and video footage anywhere you go on the fly. The same basic equipment has been adapted by plumbing services to make diagnosis faster and easier. A camera that small (along with a light) can easily be fitted down a length of pipe, run on a line back to to the drain. That lets the plumber look at the pipe from inside via a tablet: getting an unprecedently accurate look at whatever the issue might be.
That provides a number of benefits. In the first place, it permits the plumber to identify not only the exact point of the damage, but the extent of it as well. That eliminates any guesswork from the equation. It can also help identify the source of problems like clogs: identifying the materials involved and finding the tool to treat that particular material instead of adopting a more generic solution and hoping for the best.
Motorized Drain Snakes
Most hardware stores and home improvement centers sell plumbing snakes: long, stiff wires with specially-designed heads to loosen or break up clogs in the drain. However, these can be difficult to maneuver. Professional plumbers often go one step further with heavy-duty motorized snakes, which provide a lot more power to address the problem. Such snakes often have rotating heads as well, allowing the plumber to tailor the tool to address all manner of clogs. That means the problem gets corrected much faster, and rarely leaves any residue of the clog behind.
Trenchless Technology
Trenchless technology is often used with underground pipes and allows the plumber to seal a leak without having to dig out the entire pipe. We use this technology to drag a pipe lining through the old pipe and to seal it into place with epoxy or another adhesive on the surface to help it bond with the sides of the pipe. That provides a long-term solution to any leaks, while still allowing the plumber to work quickly and prevent the terrible mess that usually accompanies pipe excavation.
For quality plumbing services in West Chester, PA, call the pros at Wm. Henderson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. today!