Homeowners in Utah who plan to buy a sewer camera should consider spending on a video inspection service instead, especially if you need it just once. The price of a sewer camera ranges between $1,000 and $15,000. If need rooter service in Salt Lake City, you could only spend from $229 to $763.
The national average for 2019 costs $496. Even if you add the cost of labor, which ranges between $45 and $150 per hour, it may still be cheaper to hire a plumber than buying your own sewer camera. A professional will be better-equipped to use a camera.
What’s Included in Professional Services
A plumber will insert the camera inside the drain to find out the source of clogs in your plumbing system. In most cases, they should provide you with a digital file of the video inspection for your own reference. Take note that this doesn’t include the price of repairs for unclogging drains and pipes.
In case they offer free camera inspection service, you should inquire about their rates for standard services. Some plumbers may charge more for certain work to cover the cost of free video inspections. Whether you plan to hire the same contractor for repairs or not, it’s better if you have a copy of the video recording.
How Far Should a Camera Reach Inside?
A standard sewer camera can only reach 200 to 330 feet of distance from the drain, while cheaper models can just reach up to 65 feet. Those who need a full sewer inspection prior to a home sale will require a more expensive camera. You could choose to rent a camera for around $200 per day, but take note that you would still require a professional to diagnose the problem correctly.
While renting one saves money, a trained eye will be able to identify the right solution to the problem. Some causes of blocked drains can be mistaken for something else, such as hard build-up that turn out to be tree roots.
Hydro Jetting or Snaking: Which is Better?
Once a professional determines the source of the problem, the usual solutions involve snaking or hydro jetting. If it’s a clogged sink, a straight-tube plumbing snake is a common choice for minor repairs. The J-shaped snakes are often used for clogged toilets. Snaking is also done to retrieve items such as a jewelry that fell down the drain. On the other hand, hydro jetting resolves more serious problems, such as heavy grease build-up and tree roots. Plumbers will use a sewer camera to know if you have a damaged pipe to prevent possible leaks.
When choosing a plumber, find one that operates within your area to limit your expenses. Some companies charge more if they have to reach a long-distance client. It can be tempting to buy a camera and inspect your drain by yourself, but doing so could just give more questions than answers especially if you don’t know how to interpret the video inspection’s results.
