As plumbers, we receive emergency calls for various reasons. Burst pipes are a particularly common plumbing emergency, but they’re closely followed by blocked drains. And, that’s hardly surprising considering that the flooding caused by blocked storm drains can pose a risk to both properties and general hygiene. These calls require a quick, professional response, particularly if the storm drain is located close to a residential or commercial property.
Unfortunately, storm drain repair is a notoriously laborious process. Diagnosis alone has typically required pipe excavation and complicated repairs that can cause as much disruption as the overflow itself.
Luckily, the future of drain repair looks a lot brighter thanks to the plumbing technology emerging right now. But, how exactly is technology shaping the future of drain repair, and are these techniques worth introducing into your practice? Keep reading to find out.
# 1 – Easy Examinations
Storm drain problems that don’t necessarily start at the source haven’t always been easy to examine in any real detail, meaning that disruptive excavations can become necessary before a blocked drain plumber even fully understands the problem.
High-resolution inspection camera technology is changing that by making it possible to get clear, real-time views of what’s happening underground. This technology itself has been growing in popularity for a while now, but is quickly advancing thanks to the development of everything from 3D imagining for complete drain mapping, to advanced camera technologies that can detect potentially missable cracks, corrosion, and root intrusion themselves.
# 2 – Speedier Repair Practices
Diagnosis is one thing, but technology is also making its mark when it comes to traditionally difficult storm drain repair practices. Instead of needing to entirely excavate areas of piping to implement crucial repairs, plumbers can now use trenchless pipe repair techniques like pipe bursting and lining, which make it possible to fix issues underground.
As well as being generally cleaner and customer-friendly, trenchless pipe repair is transforming operations for plumbers who can significantly increase the speed and performance of their services. These services also tend to be more affordable for customers, while ensuring future protections like pipes with an extended lifespan and improved water flow.
# 3 – Proactive Monitoring
Even the efficiency of trenchless repairs isn’t seamless enough for commercial clients who can’t afford the custom they’d lose through storm drain issues. Luckily, technology is also allowing plumbers to prioritize proactive monitoring.
That’s thanks to smart sensors and leak detection systems, which can send real-time alerts to home and business owners, as well as their plumbers, when issues like water flow disruption or leaks occur. This early detection ensures minimal disruption and minor plumbing works. As this technology advances, some systems even provide the opportunity to predict early failures using analysis that ensures all problems can be fully addressed before they even arise.
Conclusion
You don’t need us to tell you how transformative technology can be for your plumbing services, but if storm drain repairs are continuing to drive you wild, consider introducing these cutting-edge tech solutions.
