Smoke Testing in Ellicott City, MD
Diagnosing a sewer odor is not always straightforward; the source of the smell can be concealed behind a wall, underfoot, or even underground. For that reason, Metcalf Plumbing in Ellicott City, MD, makes use of smoke testing as an expedient, no-dig method to check for gaps in the drain, vent, and sewer piping where gas, water, or air might be getting out.
We introduce non-toxic smoke into the system with a light touch of air pressure. It will make its way through the lines and come out at any opening it finds, giving the technician a clear place to start his work without having to put a hole in the wall or call in an excavator right away.
We introduce non-toxic smoke into the system with a light touch of air pressure. It will make its way through the lines and come out at any opening it finds, giving the technician a clear place to start his work without having to put a hole in the wall or call in an excavator right away.
What a Smoke Test Will Tell You
If a homeowner is at a loss to identify which fixture is to blame for a sewer stink, this test is very useful. It can turn up everything from loose fittings and dried traps to faulty vent stacks, improper connections, or cracked sewer pipe.
The location of the smoke tells you what you are dealing with. Smoke near a toilet, sink or floor drain suggests an indoor defect; smoke at ground level is likely coming from a compromised exterior connection or underground line. You will see some smoke from a rooftop vent, and that is to be expected, as the vent’s job is to let the plumbing system breathe.
Then there is the matter of a camera inspection. While a camera lets the plumber see inside for blockages, roots, or wear and tear on the pipe, the smoke fills the system to show openings a camera might miss. The technician may call for one or both to get the full picture.
The location of the smoke tells you what you are dealing with. Smoke near a toilet, sink or floor drain suggests an indoor defect; smoke at ground level is likely coming from a compromised exterior connection or underground line. You will see some smoke from a rooftop vent, and that is to be expected, as the vent’s job is to let the plumbing system breathe.
Then there is the matter of a camera inspection. While a camera lets the plumber see inside for blockages, roots, or wear and tear on the pipe, the smoke fills the system to show openings a camera might miss. The technician may call for one or both to get the full picture.
Sewer Issues in the Area
Ellicott City has its share of older Maryland properties, historic structures, and newer builds alike. In the case of an older home, the plumbing may have been altered more than once over the years, leaving behind abandoned joints or damaged vents that are hard to spot. And with the kind of heavy rain and flash flooding we have seen around Historic Main Street in recent summers, an opening in a private line can let in stormwater while a bad vent lets odors in.
While Howard County’s Department of Public Works looks after the public system, the line from the house is the homeowner’s to maintain. A smoke test helps us tell if the trouble lies in the home or along that private run.
During the procedure, the plumber will seal off certain points to control the airflow. The specially made smoke is residue-free, and the process is clean; whatever you see will be gone in a few minutes. We will then go over the results and any repairs we would recommend so the problem can be put to rest without needless digging.
We have a fondness for our city, from the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum to the wooded parts of town and a patio dinner at Manor Hill Tavern when the weather is warm. But given the humid summers and cold winters here, you need plumbing you can count on year-round.
During the procedure, the plumber will seal off certain points to control the airflow. The specially made smoke is residue-free, and the process is clean; whatever you see will be gone in a few minutes. We will then go over the results and any repairs we would recommend so the problem can be put to rest without needless digging.
We have a fondness for our city, from the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum to the wooded parts of town and a patio dinner at Manor Hill Tavern when the weather is warm. But given the humid summers and cold winters here, you need plumbing you can count on year-round.