See What's Clogging Your Sewer Line: A Short Guide to RIDGID SeeSnake Sewer Camera

Are you sick of dealing with the hassles associated with conventional inspection techniques? Are you frustrated with sewer inspection cameras with a limited field of view? When you want to get results quickly and effectively, you need equipment suitable for the ruggedness of the job.

The  RIDGID SeeSnake camera  has a cutting-edge camera system that offers best in industry video footage of the interior of sewer systems.

Every product, innovation, and person has an origin story. When you have a need, you desire a solution.

 SeeScan  founder Mark Olsson needed a solution for underwater light and began his journey of creating lighting and battery power supplies for oceanographic applications. He saw the potential for such products and branched out into other industries. In the mid-1990s,  SeeScan  developed the SeeSnake pipe inspection system.

The Partnership of a Lifetime

In 1996, a partnership was formed between the  RIDGID Tool Company  and SeeScan after CEO Olsson saw the need for advancement in plumbing diagnostic equipment.

The blossoming of worldwide distribution paved the way for RIDGID and SeeScan to become “the leading manufacturer of lateral pipe inspection equipment.”

This is a position they’ve maintained ever since.

Heading Into the New Millennium of Pipe Inspection

To exceed customer needs, SeeScan expanded the innovation of SeeSnake camera reels.

Both RIDGID and SeeScan listened and learned from the pros what worked and what did not, and in 2016, the SeeSnake CSx monitor series was introduced. This monitor series improved how to view inspections with SeeSnake cameras, allowing you to stream it in real-time on a handheld device.

The rapid advancement continued for the SeeSnake line.

As you have seen over recent years, new revolutionary technology has continued pushing the plumbing industry's boundaries.  SeeScan  and  RIDGID  both took into account industry problems and worked to fix them with advancing technology.

From 2018 to 2023, we were presented with superior TruSense technology and Digital Self-leveling. The  SeeSnake Mini Pro  is now the most advanced sewer camera in the industry, with high-tech features allowing you to focus on fixing the problem at hand and not worry about not having access to a clear image of the pipe or fragile equipment.

The future is bright for further innovation with RIDGID tools and technology. For now, let’s look at the features of the current SeeSnake cameras and why these improvements were so essential.

RIDGID SeeSnake sewer camera features depend on the particular model needed for the job.

Whether you are working on residential, commercial, or municipal plumbing inspections, each RIDGID SeeSnake camera model comes with various features and applications based on the job's demands.

For example, the  standard RIDGID SeeSnake camera  with  TruSense technology  is built to withstand harsh working conditions.

Depending on your preference, there are four categories to choose from:

1. Specialty small lines with high flexibility
2. Mid-size lines with moderate flexibility
3. Mid-size pipes with moderate/stiff flexibility
4. Long, large pipes that are stiff

SeeSnake camera reels from RIDGID, featuring TruSense technology, have in-built sensors to provide in-pipe data. This technology is facilitated by the new TruSense counter that comes with all such reels, which, besides activating TruSense capabilities, also shows the cable count on the display and recorded media.

The video below gives a great overview of the benefits TruSense brings to pipe inspection

What is a TiltSense Inclinometer, and why is it important?

One of the most common problems that technicians encounter during pipe inspections is where the cable is located within the pipe, and whether or not they are encountering a blockage or hitting the sides of the pipe instead.

With  RIDGID’s SeeSnake  Tiltsense cutting-edge feature, plumbing specialists can see the line area more precisely thanks to the built-in inclinometer, which measures the camera's angle; you'll never have to worry whether you are hitting the pipe instead of the blockage.

The camera pitch can be determined on the CSx series Wi-Fi-connected monitors thanks to Tiltsense, making it simple for technicians to read the angle on the camera head. This function enhances the inspection process' accuracy while also saving overall time.

Technicians can promptly identify and fix problems by pinpointing their depth and position with the help of the on-camera inclinometer.

The guessing game is gone for good.

Hold the Light Steady with High-Intensity LEDs

Under the highly rugged conditions of pipe inspection, you need lights that will work. Just like when your dad told you to hold the flashlight steady, the RIDGID SeeSnake does just that but with energy-efficient LEDs. These lights allow exceptional images on the video monitor while maintaining longevity and durability.

You Can See Clearly Now with HDR Imaging

As mentioned above, extreme lighting conditions are challenging to work around, especially when inserting a camera cable into a dark pipe.

The LED lighting helps create a clearer image, but the conditions are still harsh. That’s why the  RIDGID SeeSnake  incorporated HDR into modern SeeSnakes.

In short, HDR technology means you no longer have to worry about fuzzy or blurry photos tainted by shadows and bad lighting.

The struggle of trying to explain clogs, obstructions, tree root problems, and more to customers is a thing of the past, thanks to RIDGID SeeSnake HQx.

With the advanced video and image footage available through the free HQx Live Mobile App, you can easily share the data with the following:

1. Homeowners
2. Third-party groups
3. Other professionals for advice

This feature opens a pathway for better communication across the line.

When people can see what you are looking at within their plumbing system, they can better understand the timeline to fix the problems and the prices surrounding it.

Keep the Balance with Self-leveling Options

TruSense-equipped  RIDGID SeeSnake  cameras come in both self-leveling (which maintains the image upright) and non-self-leveling varieties. If you are looking for a camera that will not get turned around within pipes, this option is for you.

Diagnosing pipe issues is complicated enough, and if you are showing customers images of the inspection, you’ll want to ensure the image is facing correctly; that way, you don’t need to do any extra work in figuring out the exact location of the issue.

No editing is needed here.

Unlike traditional self-leveling functions that older RIDGID models use, where a weighted mechanism controls the movement of the images and creates an almost back-and-forth swing to maintain upright, TruSense technology uses digital self-leveling.

This Digital self-leveling creates a static image in the center of the pipe, keeping the main point focused and unmoving.

This new and innovative way of capturing the problem and blockages is great for future sewer inspections. Also, it allows for a smaller camera head and fewer parts, making it a smoother process altogether.

Easily Slide Through Tight Lines with the FleXmitter SONDE

The FleXmitter SONDE was developed ergonomically to manage tight twists and turns.

Because of its flexible design, you can easily locate the camera's exact location even when you're in the line. With the  RIDGID SeeSnake  with TruSense, you are not forced to guess with your important data.

Most people are unaware of the importance of pipe inspection. Customers are probably surprised when you tell them their plumbing needs to be inspected when a problem arises.

The common problems that professional technicians face were considered when the  RIDGID SeeSnake  was developed.

All RIDGID SeeSnakes can help speed up the discovery and repair process of the issues that often occur, saving you and the customer time and money.

The RIDGID SeeSnake can help you fix the following:

1. Clogs and blockages
2. Grease or mold buildup
3. Pipe structure issues
4. Tree root intrusions

For blockages and clogs, the main priority is to locate them and identify how compact they are in the pipe system.

The SeeSnake has a camera with clear video available throughout the inspection process, and you can find the blockage or problem and determine its depth with the on-screen monitor.

As well as determining the depth of a particular problem, you also need to know which way the camera is facing, as more often than not, when you feed the cable down the line, it will spin, making it hard to determine if you are looking up or down in the pipe.

With the  RIDGID SeeSnake  , you have access to a self-leveling feature. Encountering these common pipe inspection problems should take less time now that these functions are incorporated into the job.

Along with the self-leveling feature, you need to be able to see what you are viewing.

You need light when determining if the blockage is from debris such as:

1. Toilet paper
2. Hygiene products
3. Grease

Or things like:

1. Structural issues
2. Tree roots

How does the  RIDGID SeeSnake operate  ? Will it be difficult to set up and function whenever I need it?

The answer is no.

The setup and use of the RIDGID SeeSnake are explicitly made for quick and easy use for professionals.

Here are five easy steps to using the RIDGID SeeSnake camera:

Setting up the RIDGID SeeSnake camera to begin operating is relatively simple. RIDGID knows that you need equipment that is quick and easy to use while keeping safety in mind.

1. Before you begin
2. Make sure that the  RIDGID SeeSnake  camera is connected to the cable and that the cable is connected to the reel
3. Once you ensure they are connected, confirm that the reel is attached to the monitor
4. Setting up The RIDGID SeeSnake Camera For Use IMAGE HERE [Include an image of the camera button on the camera monitor]
5. Power on the camera
6. You will need a USB drive to store the video footage captured inside the drain line or pipe
7. Utilize the free  HQx Live companion app  for streaming inspections to your iOS or Android device. SeeSnake Reels are compatible with every RIDGID SeeSnake Monitor.

How To Watch The Footage Captured On the RIDGID SeeSnake

Now that you have finished your inspection, you will want to view the captured footage to provide professional verification for the customer.

You can watch the videos by either:

1. Downloading the HQx Live Companion app
2. Log in and view the footage
3. Uploading data from the USB drive
4. Upload and view the footage of the computer