If you have sewer gas in your home, it’s important to know what the problem is and how to fix it quickly. The most common way of locating a leak is with a smoke test. This is done by blocking all drain vents, blowing smoke into the house, and identifying areas where you smell the most vapor.

A sewer gas leak detector  typically smells like rotten eggs due to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is given off by organic waste as it decomposes. This and methane are commonly known as “sewer gases.” These gases are a safety concern, especially in confined spaces. H2S is poisonous and can kill in minutes, and methane can ignite at a very low percentage of flammability in the air.

Sewer Gas Safety 101: Detecting and Preventing Leaks

EZSmoke is a safe and effective solution for finding annoying leaks inside or outside your home or commercial property. Using patented technology, EZSmoke sends non-toxic, lemon-scented smoke with UV trace dye through your plumbing systems and other hard-to-reach places. This enables the technician to locate cuts, cracks, fractures, porosity, or unsealed joints and fittings.

In most homes, the main source of sewer gas odor is a leaky P-trap. A pipefitter can reline the trap, as well as the rest of the pipes in your plumbing system to create an unbroken seal throughout the entire length of the pipes, which will prevent sewer gas from escaping into living spaces. In addition, a plumber can check the vent pipes on your roof to make sure they are not blocked or disconnected.