The Importance of Smoke Testing for Plumbing Systems

Smoke testing is used to identify inflow from roof leaders quickly, drains on sidewalks, driveways, and yard drains, stormwater infiltration into the wastewater system, and faulty connections to the sanitary sewer. This is crucial to help reduce sewage leaks, which contain hydrogen sulfide that can harm the environment and humans.

Non-Invasive

Smoke testing plumbing systems force nontoxic smoke into the drain pipes and sewage system. The smoke travels through the lines, and if some cracks or leaks are not visible to the naked eye, the smoke will reveal them. This quick and affordable test can spot leaks or cracked pipes, faulty connections, and open pipes. It can also detect dry traps in sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains that must be refilled. This is important since these dry traps can allow sewer gas (which has a very unpleasant and toxic odor) into homes. Residents should be notified of the test and encouraged to open their windows and doors for ventilation during the smoking period. The simulated smoke used for this testing is non-toxic, leaves no residue or stain, and is harmless to plants, animals, and humans. It will dissipate in a matter of minutes. This method is also helpful in detecting sources of inflow and infiltration to the sanitary sewer system that cause sewage overflows.

Quick

Plumbing smoke tests force non-toxic, artificially created smoke through waste and drain pipes under slight pressure to locate defects. Plumes of smoke appear with problems such as broken maintenance holes, illegal connections like roof drains and sump pumps, cracked mains and laterals, and uncapped lines. The resulting visible smoke is also helpful for identifying leaks in sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, floor drains, and washing machines that are not adequately purged of water and sewer gases. These gases escaping the house can cause a foul odor and pose health hazards. Although there are several other options for finding leaks (WiFi-enabled devices, fluorescent dyes, etc.), a smoke test is more quick and reliable. A crew can usually knock out a testing block in less than an hour. This is because, unlike other methods, the smoke does not need to be blown back through the pipe.

Easy

Smoke testing uses non-toxic, artificially created smoke forced through waste and drain pipes under slight pressure. It can find hidden and impossible-to-locate leaks with other methods. The plumes of smoke that form indicate where the leaks are located. The test itself usually lasts up to 15 minutes. If you live in a home part of the smoke test area, it’s important to open windows and doors to help ventilate the smoke. If you see smoke entering your home during the test, remain calm, remove yourself from the space, and alert the test crew. Plumbing leaks connected to sewage outlets can permeate deadly or flammable sewer gasses into your living space. These gasses can cause severe and expensive damage to your walls, floors, ceilings, and fixtures. Smoke testing helps to find these issues early on, so they can be repaired and remedied. Smoke testing also identifies unauthorized water infiltration into municipal sewer systems.

Affordable

Smoke testing is the most affordable option for locating sewer leaks. This testing method requires forcing nontoxic smoke-filled air through a sewer line, quickly revealing sites of unwanted inflow. This inflow causes the wastewater system to operate at a higher cost and increases the risk of sewage spills during storms. The smoke does not enter homes unless there is a plumbing issue, such as dried-up P-traps in sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains. If the homeowner notices smoke entering the house during a test, they should remain calm and open windows and doors to ventilate the home. It is also helpful to pour water down seldom-used drains (such as the kitchen sink) to fill the P-traps, preventing smoke from entering the house during the test. However, if smoke enters the home during testing, it is essential to remain calm and remove yourself from the building so the crews can safely continue the test.