Video-inspection cameras have been in existence since the late 1960's. By and large they were used predominantly by municipalities to inspect main city sewers and storm drain systems. Today, those same technologies have been miniaturized and simplified. The smallest plumbing companies can afford to own a camera and line-locating package. A set-up can generate many thousands of dollars in sales, if you know how. If you purchase a system, it can pay for itself quickly. The potential is enormous.

I had the good fortune of working with a large, national drain cleaning organization from 1990 through 1995. My official capacity was as the plumbing manager for one of the Los Angeles shops. With a fleet of nearly fifty vans, that shop generated annual sales in the millions. A large portion of our sales volume was directly attributable to sewer cameras, line locators and jetters. The techniques we used were simple, easy to learn and they worked. Anyone can apply those same strategies and enhance his business substantially.

So, what started the frenzy? What triggered all of the interest? My theory is that it started with the infamous January 1994 earthquake in Los Angeles. Northridge California, the epicenter, is seven miles from my home. It was 4:32 a.m. We were awakened suddenly as our beds began literally bouncing up and down in the black of night. Dishes were crashing, dogs were barking and car alarms were screaming. Electrical power was gone. We were in total darkness, still not realizing what was happening. As we struggled to get to the outdoors, our house would tremble violently.

We felt like mosquitoes riding a galloping elephant. Everyone finally made it to our family car; it was the only safe haven we had. I remember sitting in my driveway watching our home sway back and forth. Police cars, ambulances and fire trucks were speeding up and down our street. Gas fires filled the cold, early morning air with smoke. At first light I walked around the house to check for damage. Our septic tank had collapsed. Every drainpipe under the house was backed-up.

The water service line had snapped leaving us without water. Hardware stores and home centers in the neighborhood were closed. One could see the emptied shelves in store after store. Fortunately, I had enough parts on hand to get our house functioning temporarily. My neighbors needed help too...this was an emergency like none other. Food and shelter took priority. There was something very primal about it.