Sewer Odor Investigation & Smoke Testing
Sewer Gas Smell Detection Without Destruction
A sewer smell inside or around a home, business, or commercial property can be unpleasant, frustrating, and difficult to trace. Sewer odors may come from damaged pipes, dry traps, failed wax rings, open vents, cracked drain lines, poor plumbing connections, or other hidden issues in the drain, waste, and vent system.
American Leak Detection also offers sewer gas leak detection, including smoke testing services to help locate the source of sewer odors and drainage system leaks. As The Original Leak Specialist™, we use specialized testing methods to identify where odors may be escaping so the correct repair area can be addressed.
Don't let a sewer smell linger. Call (866) 701-5306 or submit a contact form to schedule an inspection.
Common Signs of a Sewer Odor Problem
Sewer odor issues can be constant or intermittent. In some cases, the smell may only appear when plumbing fixtures are used, when the HVAC system turns on, after heavy rain, or when the building has been closed for a period of time.
Contact a leak detection specialist if you notice any of the following:
- Sewer smell inside the home or building
- Rotten egg or sewage-like odor near drains, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, or mechanical rooms
- Odor near floor drains, showers, tubs, sinks, or toilets
- Smell coming from walls, ceilings, crawl spaces, basements, or utility rooms
- An odor that gets worse after water use
- Gurgling drains or slow drainage
- Recurring smell even after cleaning drains
- Odor complaints from tenants, employees, customers, or residents
Because sewer gas odors can come from multiple sources, professional testing can help narrow down the cause and avoid unnecessary repairs.
What Causes Sewer Smells?
How American Leak Detection Detect Sewer Odors
Our technicians use specialized tools and testing methods to help locate the source of sewer odors. Depending on the property and plumbing system, our process may include:
Sewer Smoke Testing
Smoke testing traces a sewer odor to its source without opening walls or excavating pipes. Here's how we perform the test:
- Isolate the System: We seal off drain openings and introduce non-toxic smoke into the drain, waste, and vent system.
- Track the Smoke: Smoke travels through the pipes under low pressure, following the same path as sewer gas.
- Pinpoint the Break: Wherever smoke escapes, whether at a cracked pipe, failed seal, or unauthorized connection, we mark the exact location.
This process pinpoints breaks that other methods can miss, without opening a single wall. Once we find the source, we walk you through your repair options.
Visual Inspection
A visual inspection may be performed around fixtures, floor drains, toilets, cleanouts, vent areas, mechanical rooms, crawl spaces, basements, and exterior plumbing access points. This helps identify obvious signs of failure, missing caps, dry traps, or damaged components.
Trap and Fixture Evaluation
Dry or poorly functioning traps are a common source of sewer odors. Our technicians may check sinks, showers, tubs, floor drains, laundry drains, and other fixtures to determine whether traps are holding water and working properly.
Vent System Evaluation
The plumbing vent system helps move sewer gases safely out of the building. If the vent system is cracked, blocked, disconnected, or improperly installed, sewer odors may enter the property. Testing can help identify suspected venting issues.
Camera Inspection
In some cases, a sewer camera inspection may be recommended to evaluate the inside of drain or sewer lines. Camera inspections can help identify cracks, breaks, separations, blockages, root intrusion, or damaged pipe sections.
Why You Want to Get Your Sewer Odor Inspected
Sewer odor problems can be difficult to solve by guesswork alone. Cleaning drains, adding water to traps, or replacing parts may not fix the issue if the odor is coming from a hidden defect in the plumbing system.
Professional sewer odor investigation helps identify the likely source of the smell and provides clear information before repair work begins. This can reduce unnecessary demolition, help avoid repeated service calls, and give property owners and managers a better path toward resolving the issue.
American Leak Detection provides clear findings so homeowners, business owners, property managers, contractors, and facility teams can make informed decisions. If there's a leak present, we'll find it.
Schedule Sewer Odor Investigation & Smoke Testing
A persistent sewer smell rarely points to one obvious cause. American Leak Detection uses smoke testing and camera inspection to trace the odor back to its exact source, whether the cause is a dry trap, a cracked vent, or a failed seal. You receive a clear explanation before any repair work begins.
Suspect a sewer gas leak? Let's find it. Call (866) 701-5306 to schedule service today.
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“This is a fair and honest company. They showed up on time and gave good advice with a fair price. They can be trusted to give accurate information.”- Alda F.
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“I had an awful rotten egg smell as soon as I bought our house. After calling two plumbers (who charged me a fee to tell me nothing was wrong), the Gas Company (no gas leak), and the Public Works Department, I finally called American Leak Detection. They came in, investigated with smoke, and fixed the problem. For the first time in two months, my house doesn't smell like a restaurant toilet. Highly recommend them!”- Sandi T.
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“I can't say enough good things about their service! We had a slab leak that flooded the master bedroom and they came as quickly as they could and then rearranged their work schedule so the repair could be made and we could once again have water turned on. The workmen were professional and efficient. I hope I never have to use that kind of service again but if so, they are he best.”- Carolyn R.
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“Tree roots had cracked my filter pipes and I was losing water badly. I was referred to American Leak Detection and set up an appointment. Daniel came out and did his best to diagnose the problem. He got very strange results and it was hard to determine the exact pipe(s) that were cracked but since I'd had a similar repair done 6 years ago and we could see evidence of the tree root damage from above, I felt confident we knew were the issue was and I contracted for the work. I was pleasantly surprised to see Daniel return to perform the work. I arranged to be home that day so I could see what he found. I supposed I hovered, taking pictures of the process, asking questions as he went along. He never got annoyed and answered every question with a smile. I don't think i ever saw anyone work harder. It was obvious from that start he had a lot of experience and knew what he was doing. Digging out the area had to be done mostly by hand which he did efficiently without complaints. He found multiple pipes cracked which explained the odd results during diagnosis. The job took longer than expected because it was difficult work and he ran out of daylight but on the job until he it wasn't possible anymore that day. Even though he was fully booked for the following day, his company rearranged his schedule so he could return the following afternoon. I returned home early from work and was able to see him complete the job. He even patched the deck with new concrete like an artisan, taking every care to make it as smooth and neat as possible. After 30 years in this house, we have had many service people come to do work. No one has ever delivered better than Daniel. He was competent, diligent, and pleasant. The cost wasn't cheap but it was fair. I don't mind at all paying for quality service.”- String R.
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Trusted Specialists
Trained specialists who detect leaks in every system, from pools to commercial pipes.
