Smoke testing is an effective and cost-efficient way of locating sources of inflow and infiltration. It is used to find cross connections where the storm sewer is connected to the sanitary sewer. Smoke testing can also be used to locate illegal hook-ups or to find sources of odor. Let ABC Pipe Cleaning Services smoke test your sewers to identify any connection problems.
We inject odorless, non-toxic smoke into a sanitary manhole and blow it down the mainline with a powerful fan. Smoke will follow the path of least resistance, and it will exit the roof vents or wherever there is a problem.
If smoke comes out the roof leader or a catch basin, then there is a cross connection. If no smoke is seen or if the smoke does not go anywhere and comes back up towards the blower, then the building is not connected to the sewer main being tested or there could be a problem such as a blockage or ponding.
Seeing Smoke?
If you see smoke in your house or building, check that the sinks and toilets have water, and that you have run water into all drains for one minute, including any floor drains that you do not usually use. Smoke may enter the building if:
• Vents connected to your building’s sewer pipe are inadequate, defective, or improperly installed; or
• Traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers, and other drains are dry, defective, improperly installed or missing; or
• Pipe, connections and seals of the waste-water drain system in and under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing, or are improperly installed
If the smoke comes in through defective plumbing, please consult a plumber as this indicates that sewer gases are entering the house. For other problems, let us know, and we will happily match your needs with our services.