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SeeSnake Camera Reel Best Practices

Refer to the following tips and recommendations to perform pipe inspections using a RIDGID® SeeSnake® camera reel with efficiency and ease. Follow these tips to increase the longevity and effectiveness of your equipment and prevent damage.

Check out the SeeSnake Tips & Tricks video for more helpful advice on getting the most out of your SeeSnake camera reel.

  • Run water through the pipe during the inspection to keep the camera system clean, make pushing the push cable easier, and allow longer pushes. Place a hose down the pipe or turn on a fixture. Shut off the water flow as needed for a clearer view.
  • Apply a thin film of liquid detergent or soap on the camera to keep the lens clear.
  • Be careful when inspecting porcelain appliances such as a toilet. The camera may scratch the surface finish. When pushing through porcelain appliances, use plastic or PVC tubing to protect the finish.
  • Sharp edges at the pipe entrance can cut, kink, snag, or damage the push cable. Use extreme care and always keep one hand near the pipe entrance when pushing into the pipe to avoid damaging the push cable.
  • Use rubber grip-type gloves to manipulate the push cable, improve grip, and keep hands clean.
  • Use a quick push to pop the camera around a bend such as a p-trap, tee, Y, or elbow. To pop around a bend, pull the camera back approximately 200 mm [8 in] and thrust it through in one motion. Do not use more force than is necessary.
  • The video image is most stable and clear when moving the push cable backward in the pipe. When you have found an area of interest in the pipe, push the camera beyond it and then pull it back.
  • Dragging the push cable over sharp edges can damage the push cable. Do not drag the push cable over sharp edges and do not pull or bend the push cable at sharp angles at the pipe entrance.
  • Some inspection conditions can cause the spring to fold back so that the camera faces the wrong way. If the push cable is visible on the display, the spring has folded over on itself. Pull the push cable back. If necessary, pull the push cable all the way out of the pipe and attempt the inspection again. To keep the push cable from folding over on itself, only push short sections through the pipe at a time. If the push cable folds over on itself, it can snap or kink.
  • Obstructions or excessive build-up in the pipe can damage or prevent retrieval of the camera. Do not use the camera to clear obstructions.
Pipe inspection with a SeeSnake rM200 and CS6

Run Water through the Pipe

Run water through the pipe during the inspection to keep the camera system clean, make pushing the push cable easier, and allow longer pushes. Place a hose down the pipe or turn on a fixture. Shut off the water flow as needed for a clearer view.

Keep the Lens Clear

Apply a thin film of liquid detergent or soap on the camera to keep the lens clear.

Be Careful When Inspecting Porcelain Appliances

Be careful when inspecting porcelain appliances such as a toilet. The camera may scratch the surface finish. When pushing through porcelain appliances, use plastic or PVC tubing to protect the finish.

Use Extreme Care around Sharp Edges

Sharp edges at the pipe entrance can cut, kink, snag, or damage the push cable. Use extreme care and always keep one hand near the pipe entrance when pushing into the pipe to avoid damaging the push cable.

Wear Rubber Grip-Type Gloves

Use rubber grip-type gloves to manipulate the push cable, improve grip, and keep hands clean.

Use a Quick Push to Pop the Camera Around a Bend

Use a quick push to pop the camera around a bend such as a p-trap, tee, Y, or elbow. To pop around a bend, pull the camera back approximately 200 mm [8 in] and thrust it through in one motion. Do not use more force than is necessary.

Pull the Camera Backward for Stable Video

The video image is most stable and clear when moving the push cable backward in the pipe. When you have found an area of interest in the pipe, push the camera beyond it and then pull it back.

Do Not Drag the Push Cable over Sharp Edges

Dragging the push cable over sharp edges can damage the push cable. Do not drag the push cable over sharp edges and do not pull or bend the push cable at sharp angles at the pipe entrance.

Be Alert for the Spring Folding Over

Some inspection conditions can cause the spring to fold back so that the camera faces the wrong way. If the push cable is visible on the display, the spring has folded over.

Do Not Use the Camera to Clear Obstructions

Obstructions or excessive build-up in the pipe can damage or prevent retrieval of the camera. Do not use the camera to clear obstructions.

Pan and Zoom on CSx Monitors

Panning and Zooming is a helpful way to highlight areas of interest within the image displayed on a CSx device.

SeeSnake Pro

Introducing the new RIDGID SeeSnake Mini Pro, our smallest and most rugged self-leveling camera, equipped with TruSense® technology.

Clamshell Kickstand Instructions

Follow these instructions to learn how to set up your kickstand for the RIDGID® SeeSnake® microDrain™, microReel™, and nanoReel™ systems.

SeeSnake Tips & Tricks

Watch this video to learn tips and tricks on getting the most out of your SeeSnake camera reel during a pipe inspection.

Adding Inspector Information

How to save default inspector information to a RIDGID SeeSnake inspection monitor so you can quickly add it to reports.

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