Smoke Testing Leak Detection
Comprehensive Smoke Testing most reliable to find hidden drain leaks.
About This Service
Smoke testing is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to find hidden drain and sewer leaks inside a home. Sea Glass Plumbing uses this method when normal troubleshooting does not reveal the source of an odor, moisture problem, or sewer gas issue. By pushing harmless, non-toxic smoke through the plumbing system under controlled pressure, we can immediately see where that smoke escapes. Any point where smoke leaks out is a place where sewer gas or water could be escaping in daily use.
How Smoke Testing Reveals Problems
Smoke testing helps us identify cracks, loose fittings, faulty seals, and gaps around vent pipes. It also exposes dry traps, missing cleanout caps, and vents that are not connected correctly. Because the smoke follows the air paths inside the plumbing system, it shows issues that may not appear during a basic visual inspection.
Problems We Commonly Find
This method is especially useful for tracking down sewer odors, locating breaks in vent stacks, and finding hidden leaks behind walls or under floors. It can also uncover improper tie-ins, abandoned lines that were never capped, and defects in older ABS or PVC pipe.
How Smoke Testing Compares to Other Methods
Camera inspections are excellent for spotting physical blockages or collapsed pipe, but cameras cannot always detect leaks in vents or fittings above the drain line. Smoke fills the entire system, including the venting network, so it reveals air leaks a camera can miss. It is fast, clean, and often provides answers within minutes.
What to Expect During the Appointment
Before starting, we block off the main line and explain the process so there are no surprises. A small blower introduces smoke into the system while the technician walks the home to watch for visible leaks. Windows may be opened for ventilation, and the entire test usually takes less than an hour. Once complete, we review the findings and discuss the best repair plan.
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