Plumbing camera fits in small P-trap assembly
Problem: During a routine plumbing inspection at their Midwestern facility, technicians needed to assess the condition of a drainline running through a 1.25-inch P-trap beneath a bathroom sink. The challenge was the requirement of dismantling the P-trap assembly entirely in order for the camera to be introduced into the line. Disassembly would significantly increase labor time and add the risk of leaks or damage during reassembly. The team needed a solution that could navigate the tight curve of the P-trap and deliver a clear view of the pipe interior without touching a single fitting.
Solution: The technicians deployed the MiniFlex Plumbing Camera from Fiberscope.net. Engineered with a flexible push cable and a slim camera head, the MiniFlex was fed directly into the drain opening and guided through the 1.25-inch P-trap without any disassembly of the plumbing. The camera’s flexible design allowed it to follow the curve of the trap and continue down the drainline, transmitting a live video feed throughout. No fittings were loosened, and no seals were disturbed.
Result: The MiniFlex successfully navigated the P-trap and completed a full inspection of the drainline with no disassembly at any stage. This demonstrated that the MiniFlex can access and inspect through standard 1.25-inch P-traps — one of the most common configurations in residential and commercial plumbing. 877-613-2210; www.fiberscope.net
Software simplifies smoke-testing
Problem: The city of Memphis and its sewer inspection contractor, W&T Contracting, historically conducted sewer line smoke tests with paper reports, digital cameras and GPS. The field process was slow and required hours of office work, limiting the number of smoke tests conducted.
Solution: Memphis and W&T chose PipeTech Mobile to digitize standard reporting templates, capture media and list GPS coordinates all on a tablet. Mobile enables crews to collect structured data without expensive equipment or creating disconnected records. Every inspection connects to the broader workflow via cloud storage, making data instantly available in the office and tied to the correct asset. It can be customized with validated fields, required media and custom import/export formats. Existing workflow forms can be digitized and connected directly to their inspection system at any utility. “PipeTech Mobile has streamlined our smoke-testing operations and eliminated hours of office processing,” says Wiley Richards of W&T Contracting. “We capture everything in the field, and Memphis can see the data right away.”
Result: W&T conducted smoke-testing reports with real time GPS, defect tags and media attached to each test without digital cameras or paper forms. The city used these field reports to confirm repairs and other work directly within the inspection workflow. “Having direct online access to structured smoke-testing data gives us immediate insight into what’s happening in the field,” says John Townsend, city of Memphis. “The documentation is consistent, complete and exported in the custom format we require.”
888-505-0214; www.pipetech.com
