Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Smoke Testing

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Smoke Testing

1. What is the purpose of smoke testing?

The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of storm-related water runoff that may leak into the sewer system, resulting in an increased volume of flow the system wasn’t designed to handle. This situation is called inflow. Smoke testing can also find potential points of cracked pipes where groundwater may enter the sewer system. This situation is called infiltration. Inflow and infiltration can result in an overburdening of the sanitary sewer system, which may result in Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs).

Smoke testing can also help to locate the following:

• Buildings that have downspouts, yard or basement drains connected.
• Catch basin and parking lot drains.
• Any cross connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains.
• Defective sewer connections that could allow sewer gases into a building.

2. What is a smoke test?

During smoke testing, field crews use a high-volume blower to blow air and smoke into the sanitary sewer system through a manhole and monitor where smoke escapes the system.

Smoke testing is the process of using a high-volume blower to blow artificially produced smoke into a sanitary sewer pipeline segment to see where the smoke emerges. If the sewer is in good condition, the forced smoke will emerge from manhole lids along the line and house vents on the roof. If the line has defects, the smoke will find the break and try to escape through the break. It is not unusual to see smoke come up from peculiar places, such as cracks in the street, or in residential yards during smoke testing. While the smoke is being injected into the sewers, utility crew members will observe the smoke test area and notate the places smoke escapes.

3. Is the smoke hazardous?

The smoke utilized during smoke testing is LiquiSmoke™ or a similar brand, or a smoke candle and is commonly used in the industry. The smoke is not harmful to you, your pets, or house plants. It will not harm or stain clothes, drapes, or furniture. It is not flammable and does not create a fire hazard. While the smoke is not considered harmful, it is recommended to avoid prolonged periods of exposure to it. If smoke appears from a drain inside your residence, open windows and ventilate well to dissipate the smoke.

4. Will I have smoke coming into my house?

Probably not, but it is possible that smoke could enter a residence through a drain trap which has dried out or some other plumbing defect such as an un-trapped washing machine drain,cracked pipe, garbage disposal or dishwasher not installed correctly. Note that if smoke can enter your home then dangerous sewer gases can also. If smoke gets inside of your home locate one of the smoke testing crew members and they will assist you in locating where the smoke entered your home or call our office at (717) 627 – 2379.

5. I see smoke in my front yard and venting out my neighbor’s roof.

That may indicate a break or other defect in the sewer line if it is not coming out of a lateral cleanout. A defect in an underground sewer pipe is allowing smoke to escape up through the ground.

Roof vents are where the smoke should be released or seen. This is good!

6. I don’t see any smoke at all!

This may be good. If the sanitary sewer line is in a state of good condition, the smoke will migrate along the sewer network and appear at a distant manhole or some other area. The utility crew expects to observe smoke, such as the sewer vent pipe on top of a residence. But in some cases, the smoke doesn't reappear at all. Since it must go somewhere, a process of investigation and research begins to try and determine where the smoke is ending up.

7. Should I do anything to prepare?

During smoke testing, the utility crew forces smoke into the sanitary sewer. The possibility exists for smoke to enter a residence due to infrequently used drains or a defect in the sewer pipes. A drain trap is the S-shaped curvature or elbow in the pipe typically found under sinks. It exists to capture and hold water in the trap's curve. This water in the trap creates a type of seal and blocks gases from rising up through the drain and into the home. This trap will also keep the smoke from entering your home. A dry drain trap could be found in drains which are not used regularly and the water has evaporated. Water should be run into these traps monthly to maintain the drain seal in proper operating condition.

8. Do I have to be home when smoke testing is being performed?

Homeowners do not need to be home and at no time will a utility crew member need to enter your home unless you requested them to do so.

9. Can the smoke activate the smoke alarm?

Yes, smoke alarms may be activated during smoke testing if some smoke enters your home. If it does, open windows and doors for ventilation. If you are not sure or have any doubts about the smoke call 911.

10. I’m not going to be home, but I have pets in the house, what should I do?

The smoke is not harmful to pets, but you can place your pet in an area of the home that has no plumbing. If your plumbing is properly connected and all the drain traps are sealed, there should not be any problems.