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Derrick Haynes monitors the view screen.
[picture by Mike Fak] click on picture
for larger image
A passage from a science fiction book? Not really. The
description is what happens when R.A. Mechanical uses their new
state-of-the-art Spartan video monitoring device to find the problem
with a homeowner's sewer line.
Reggie Payne, owner of R.A. Mechanical, explains the benefits of
the new tool and why he took the plunge to purchase the expensive
new hardware.
"It's almost impossible sometimes to tell where a real problem is
in a sewer line," he said. "Of course if you catch a blockage and
can pull it out, then our job is done and the homeowner is happy.
But sometimes there are underlying problems as to why the blockage
occurred. Are the tiles broken? Are there tree roots that soon will
come back? These are all questions that the Spartan can answer for
all of us."
The new 100-foot seeing-eye camera on the end of an eel has great
potential not only for R.A. Mechanical garnering new business, but
for the homeowner as well. Payne explained, "With the electronic
eye, we can go through a sewer line and see if there is any damage
or potential future problem for homeowners."
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He was quick to point out that without the technology, an
expensive job can face someone whose sewer is having a problem. "If
there is a tile collapse or a root problem or blockage, the eye will
tell us how far into the line the problem is. We can then dig and
repair at the site of the blockage and not have to dig up an entire
sewer line to find out what is wrong. In the long run, this
technology can save a person thousands of dollars."
Reggie went on, "The equipment allows us to videotape the
examination and give the copy to the homeowners in case they weren't
available at the time of the inspection."
The snake also can be of help to rural residents, as the camera can
be sent in to examine and film the laterals in a septic system.
"This is a significant new technology that individuals buying an
older home should incorporate in their buying decisions," he said.
"Just as homebuyers check the plumbing and electrical, now for a few
dollars a person can find out if sewer problems might come up after
they buy the house. It's also a great tool for realtors. We can
offer a video of the homes sewer line showing it is in good working
order when people are looking to buy a home."
Reggie invites the community to take advantage of this new
equipment and call R.A. Mechanical at 735-4103 to set up an
appointment to have their sewer line inspected.
After all the heavy rains this winter, the seeing-eye has a lot
of work to do.
[By MIKE FAK]
Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at
www.searchwarp.com
and www.problogs.com.
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