Septic/Sewer Inspection Camera - Recommendations Needed Please!

[chrissyrad]

Any advice for a first time purchase of a sewer camera?

I would be using it primarily to inspect septic systems during Title 5 inspections here in MA. I'm looking for a reliable durable system that will provide a clear view and show me if there are any issues within the leachfield or any other pipes. I'd also like the capability to save and send the video from the unit to my cell phone or laptop so that I can send to the customer if need be. (I don't have to have this feature though, especially if it has an SD card or other way to upload to my laptop after the inspection).

I tried researching this on my own, but the prices range so greatly with little explanation to the difference in the units. For example, there's one that seems semi decent for $400, while at the high end a Rothenberger will cost me around $3400 plus another $11k for the monitor. I just can't see how I could justify the cost of that if I'm using it mostly for Title 5's.

Can someone please recommend a great starter septic/sewer inspection camera?

 

[skyking1]

I have no idea what the requirements of title 5 are. Please enlighten me.
Firstly, the septic tank needs to be pumped and inspected by the pump company at least that is normal. They issue a report to the authority ( health department here).
So the baffles are done and any suspicious conditions are addressed by that inspection and report.
If you do want to look at leachfields, you will need to dig up the distribution box.
you have about the same chance as a fart in a whirlwind to get a camera from the tank outlet baffle through the distribution box.
All this adds up to NOT needing a long arsed camera.
The only place you can use a 100'+ cam setup is on a long side sewer, looking for roots.

 

[chrissyrad]

I have no idea what the requirements of title 5 are. Please enlighten me.
Firstly, the septic tank needs to be pumped and inspected by the pump company at least that is normal. They issue a report to the authority ( health department here).
So the baffles are done and any suspicious conditions are addressed by that inspection and report.
If you do want to look at leachfields, you will need to dig up the distribution box.
you have about the same chance as a fart in a whirlwind to get a camera from the tank outlet baffle through the distribution box.
All this adds up to NOT needing a long arsed camera.
The only place you can use a 100'+ cam setup is on a long side sewer, looking for roots.

Thanks for the reply. Sorry, I guess I should have prefaced my question with what a Title 5 inspection entails for me and what I would need the camera for. Every time a home with a septic system is sold in MA, a Title 5 inspection has to be performed to ensure the system is meeting state regulations. It's basically an 18 page report I fill out with a pass/fail result and provide to the town's board of health.

I dig up and open the observation holes on the septic tank to view inlet and outlet tees. I measure the depth of sludge and scum layers in the tank and report the distances to top and bottom of tees/baffles. I also dig up and expose the d box, make sure it's level and distributing effluent equally. If it's a pump system I verify pump and alarm are in working order. I also test the well water for nitrates and coliform if the well is a certain distance from the leachfield. I think that's about it as far as Title 5 goes, but where I could use a sewer camera would be inserting at the d-box to check pipe in leachfield for roots. Also possibly insert at the inlet in tank if there was an suspected issue between there and the building sewer pipe.

I've only gotten one answer thus far from other inspectors in the area, and he uses a Ridgid that costs about $10k.

 

[skyking1]

all that adds up to less than 100' of camera. We have a rigid at work that's 150'.

 

[Georgia Iron]

Once those cameras get into murky water they become ineffective. Around here we dig up the lids on the older concrete tanks, slide them over with an excavator. Pump the tank while pumping wash it down with a hose. Flush all the toilets and empty full bathtubs making sure the house plumbing is clean and clear and working. Fill the tank back up with clear water make sure it drains proper. Get your measurements for the report and take a picture.

Typical issues are septic tank has settled improperly causing the input to be higher than the outlet. Field lines don't take clear water because they are clogged, roots have grown into inlet and outlets on the tank, baffles have broken and fallin off. Holes in the tank. Tank walls cracked and falling in. Old lids in the bottom of tank etc. We normally jet the drain lines also. Typically with a common pressure washer using a reverse nozzle. Straight from amazon

 

[HarleyHappy]

Sounds like a crappy job.
Pay is in the toilet.

 

[CM1995]

Sounds like a crappy job.
Pay is in the toilet.

Big money in poop.

Friend of mine is a level 3 installer here in AL and makes a killing. A level 3 installer can install large scale onsite systems like schools and such. He installs septic tanks on new garden home builds where the effluent gets pumped into a low pressure main line then to a large leach area for the entire development. Pretty straight forward installs but it requires a level 3 installer.

People will pay big bucks if the water isn't coming in and the poop isn't going out.

 

[DDoug]

Big money in poop.

Friend of mine is a level 3 installer here in AL and makes a killing. A level 3 installer can install large scale onsite systems like schools and such. He installs septic tanks on new garden home builds where the effluent gets pumped into a low pressure main line then to a large leach area for the entire development. Pretty straight forward installs but it requires a level 3 installer.

People will pay big bucks if the water isn't coming in and the poop isn't going out.

Local Sewer Authority's un-official slogan...."It may be your SHxT, but its our Bread and Butter"

 

[KSSS]

I don't know the difference from one brand to another, but you can make side money with it beyond just your own work. We call those guys to locate sewer lines, septic line locations for tie ins, find belly's in pipe and so on. Just get one that locates on the monitor so you see how many feet you have traveled down the pipe.

 

[hvy 1ton]

Hathorn makes cameras with locatable pushrods. Hooking up a transmitter and locating the sonde and the pushrod comes in handy from time to time. The camera runs off M18 batteries.

 

[stinky64]

Local Sewer Authority's un-official slogan...."It may be your SHxT, but its our Bread and Butter"

Sorry, gotta add. When I was a kid local plumber used to sponsor all kinds of little league teams, all sports, sometimes the entire league. Hundreds of kids, all jerseys read "Edjews Plumbing Your Crap is our Bread and Butter". Buddy still has one framed in his man cave.