How do I locate the source of an odor coming from a drain in my house?

A sewer smoke test reveals cracked or broken pipes, leaks, bad connections, improper venting, open pipes or fittings, dry traps, etc.

You can instantly recognize the smell of rotten eggs. And when you smell it in your home, it usually signifies a problem with your drainage system allowing sewer gas to escape. Not only does it smell bad, but it’s embarrassing, and needs to be fixed quickly. Breathing these fumes for an extended period of time is unhealthy. Gases from the sewer can contain methane gas, which is explosive, or hydrogen sulfide gas, which is deadly.

The best plan is to locate the source of the problem without tearing apart walls, or landscaping. The simplest way to do this is through a sewer smoke test. A sewer smoke test is odorless and non-toxic making it safe for humans and pets. Sometimes the cause of the problem can be as simple as a seal on a toilet, other times it is more complicated such as a crack in the sewer vent stack or the sewer itself.

How does a sewer smoke test actually work?

Our Rocket Plumbing field technicians safely put smoke under pressure to fill the sewer line. It’s 100% predictable, as smoke always follows the path of least resistance.

The pipes will fill with smoke, and almost instantly you’ll see it coming out of the ventilation stacks, drains, and manholes outside your home. If there are no leaks within the plumbing system, you shouldn’t see smoke anywhere else. If we do see smoke elsewhere, we’ve located the problem. It creates a visual confirmation of the source of the leak (if any) and where on the pipe that leak is present in or outside the building.

If you smell something rotten or suspect something may be broken, don’t delay. Rocket Plumbing has knowledgeable technicians, who know how to perform the job in the best possible manner. We take pride in providing you with the type of service you’ve come to expect. Give us a call today.