Field Diary: Overflowing Toilet — Powerwill 10DX1 in Action

The toilet was clearly backed up, and plunging did nothing. While working the plunger I noticed gurgling from the shower drain — a clear sign of a shared blockage. No access from the outside; the only entry point was under the bathroom floor.

Tracing the pipe layout showed that the line ran under the conservatory, with no clean-out installed. That made this an ideal test case for a compact self-leveling camera.

Setup was straightforward: connect the head, power up, set LED brightness low to start. Within seconds we made contact with heavy buildup roughly 1.5 m in. The self-leveling head kept the view perfectly oriented while we advanced.

• Integrated camera system — camera, Auto-Reel Storage System, and monitor in one all-in-one package.
• Rugged reel with locking strap and telescopic pull handle.
• 10-inch LCD color monitor mounted on a flexible gooseneck for easy viewing.
• 5× digital zoom and self-leveling camera automatically keep the image upright.
• Built-in DVR with distance counter and timestamp overlay.
• Full-size reel with 264 ft × 7 mm fiberglass push cable, suitable for inspecting 3" – 10" pipes.
• Heavy-duty frame can operate either vertically or horizontally.
• Equipped with LED brightness control and both AC/DC power cords.
• Video output port allows external recording.
• TF card slot enables video recording and easy sharing with clients.
• Built-in 512 Hz transmitter for quick and accurate camera locating.
• Fiberglass push cable features a 7 mm diameter for durability and flexibility. Built for long, straighter runs and larger pipes—ideal for 3"–10" drain and sewer lines.

At roughly 4.5 m we saw a junction with visible build-up on the clay pipe. A still frame was saved for the client report. The blockage was clearly paper and wipes accumulation, which had dried over time.

After repeated flushes, the obstruction gave way. No rods were needed this time, which kept cleanup easier. We flushed again, advanced the camera, and verified the full run was clear.