{"id":1002,"date":"2018-05-04T16:12:01","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T16:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2019-08-07T19:14:27","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T19:14:27","slug":"pipe-inspection-camera-use-and-selection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/pipe-inspection-camera-use-and-selection\/","title":{"rendered":"Pipe Inspection Camera Use and Selection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pipe Inspection Cameras for Swimming Pool Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

The digitalization and resulting miniaturization of cameras over the past years has led to a proliferation of inspection cameras for all types of uses.\u00a0 There is great benefit to being able to \u201cget into\u201d and see areas that have previously been inaccessible. Pipe inspection has been a major area of application and product development for this technology.<\/p>\n

Naturally, because of the prevalence of underground plumbing, there is great interest and intrigue in applying this technology to the swimming pool industry.\u00a0 Indeed, an inspection camera may prove to be an important part of your equipment arsenal for finding leaks and other related problems.\u00a0 \u00a0As you consider an investment in the wide range of options available, it\u2019s important to consider the unique characteristics of pool plumbing and the types of problems you\u2019re looking for, as well as establish a clear expectation of the real benefit and usefulness they will provide to your business.<\/p>\n

One Length Does Not Fit All<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many leak problems can be identified within the first several feet on an access point. In these situations, affordable fiber optic technology can be applied to the problem.\u00a0 The Rigid Inspection Scope <\/a>comes with a 3 foot flexible extension that allows you to get into easy to access small openings.\u00a0 Range can be extended with optional 3 foot extension (providing up to 6 feet of reach).\u00a0 Inspection Scopes are great for looking inside return fittings, skimmer throats, and light niches without having to get into the pool.\u00a0 Extension tubing for dye testers<\/a> can be taped to the side of the extension with the tip extending in front of the camera in order to dye test in these hard to reach spots.<\/p>\n

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If you want to go further than the first several feet into a pipe you will have to add a Camera\/Push Rod system to the Inspection Scope.\u00a0 These robust systems have become a staple item in the plumbing, sewer, and municipal industries.\u00a0 Their use on swimming pool plumbing, however, offers certain challenges.<\/p>\n

Pool Plumbing: A World of Small Pipes and Lots of Corners<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first thing to consider about pool plumbing is that relatively speaking (at least in terms of where most pipe inspection cameras are used), \u00a0it is on the very smallest end of range most cameras can be used on. Pushing a camera into this small pipe, especially around elbows and T\u2019s presents problems.\u00a0 Bruce Roache <\/a>of CT says that in 1 1\/2″ plumbing his Rigid Micro Camera<\/a> is \u201cgreat on straight runs and can reliably get through the first 90 degree bend, but it has been so difficult to get past a second 90 degree corner that I don\u2019t do it anymore for fear of getting it stuck or damaging it as I pull it out.\u201d \u00a0Christine Pearson of Excaliber Leak Detection<\/a> in MD uses her Rigid Nano <\/a>extensively and can get it through more than one elbow.\u00a0 But she admits that even this device can be damaged when pushed too far.\u00a0 \u201cIf you are hoping a pipe camera will enable you to quickly inspect an entire plumbing system you will be disappointed. A camera won\u2019t replace other methods of detecting and locating leaks in the plumbing.\u00a0 But, if you want clear evidence of problems in the areas it can reach, the images and video it provides can\u2019t be beat.\u201d\u00a0 Actually being able to see things like\u00a0big leaks, obstructions in the line, and crushed pipe can help determine the cause and repairability of the problem, and communicate clearly with the customer.<\/p>\n

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Bubbles are clearly visible from this suction side leak\u00a0while the pump is running.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While small PVC pipes with elbows and T\u2019s can pose problems, straight runs and flex-pipe are prime applications for a Camera\/Push rod system.\u00a0 \u201cIt is awesome in flex-pipe,\u201d says Roache. \u00a0\u201cAlthough I think flex-pipe is terrible, it is very common in my area. \u00a0Nothing is more convincing to a customer, pool builder, or building inspector than a live video image of the leak, the problem, or the building code pass\/ fail issue!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use it extensively on flex-pipe,\u201d says Christine.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s especially useful on skimmer lines where we can show evidence of the damage chlorine\u00a0tablets in the skimmer basket produce, or even see bubbles being pulled through a leak while the pump is on.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Chlorine damage on flex pipe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You Found the Leak, Now Where is the Camera?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once a problem has been found with a camera, determining its location on the deck so a repair can be made is the next step.\u00a0 Depending on how far in you\u2019ve pushed the camera, and your knowledge of where the lines run, you may be able to estimate the location.\u00a0 Otherwise, you\u2019re going to need to invest in one more piece of equipment.\u00a0 A line locator<\/a> detects a radio frequency signal emitted by a transmitter built into the camera head.\u00a0 The line locator will enable you to determine location, direction of run, and depth of the pipe.\u00a0 These devices can also detect signals in conductive pipes, tracer wires, electrical lines, or battery operated transmitters that aren\u2019t incorporated with the cameras.\u00a0 For many pool leak specialists, adding a camera and line locator to their tool arsenal has been the catalyst to expanding their business into other lucrative location\/inspection markets.<\/p>\n

A Note on Purchasing Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you have decided whether an inspection camera and scope system is a worthwhile investment,\u00a0there are a lot of options out there for purchasing .\u00a0 A quick search on the internet will reveal a multitude of devices at all levels of sophistication, quality and country of manufacture.\u00a0 Because swimming pool use can be hard on cameras (pushing and pulling them through sharp 90’s) don’t compromise on quality.\u00a0 We distribute Ridgid products because we feel most comfortable with their experience and knowledge of the swimming pool industry.\u00a0 Ridgid has also proven to be responsive when repairs are needed.\u00a0 Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pipe Inspection Cameras for Swimming Pool Use The digitalization and resulting miniaturization of cameras over the past years has led to a proliferation of inspection cameras for all types of uses.\u00a0 There is great benefit to being able to \u201cget into\u201d and see areas that have previously been inaccessible. Pipe inspection has been a major […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[87],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1002"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1341,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions\/1341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leaktools.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}