The proven method to find the source of sewer odors

We quickly find the source of sewer gases leaking into your home, business or yard using a non toxic, odorless smoke (like a fog machine). We connect to your main sewer line and fill the plumbing pipes with a dense, heavy, odorless fog (it’s called a smoke machine, but it’ll really a fog generator) and you will be able to see exactly where the sewer gasses are leaking into your home or business.

Call us at (303) 944-3794 if you are in Colorado or(714)632-3383 if you are in California  for a cost estimate or to  schedule a sewer odor smoke test online now!

Sewer gas is a mixture of gases, some toxic, that are present at varying levels. It is formed during the decay of household and industrial waste. Some of the most highly toxic components commonly found in sewer gas are hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Sewer gas also contains methane, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides.

Sewer gas can enter a home through a floor drain, drains or sewer vent lines that may have been penetrated by a nail during construction, vent lines not properly run to the roof, bad studor vents, faulty toilet wax rings, bad seals on a basement lift station, dried out plumbing traps, from a leaking or blocked plumbing roof vent, or (if the gases are in soil adjacent to the house) through cracks in foundations. Sewer gas leaks are actually pretty common.

First, following the odor, try to locate the point of entry, such as basement floor drains or other plumbing fixture locations. Check for a blocked rooftop plumbing gas vent. By adding water to the floor drain or fixtures and/or removing ice/snow/debris from a roof plumbing stack vent, you may be able to prevent sewer gas from entering your home.

It can be very difficult to determine the exact source of the odor. Our sewer gas leak detection service is quick, easy and non invasive. You’ll be amazed to see the non toxic and odorless smoke (fog) seeping from a toilet, behind or a wall or other source of sewer gas. Once the location of the leak is identified by us it’s usually a pretty easy fix for a plumber to repair the problem.

The principal risks and effects associated with exposure are:

Hydrogen sulfide poisoning: Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Other symptoms include nervousness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and drowsiness. This gas smells like rotten eggs, even at extremely low concentrations. Exposure to high concentrations can interfere with the sense of smell, making this warning signal unreliable. At extremely high levels, hydrogen sulfide can cause immediate loss of consciousness and death.

Asphyxiation: High concentrations of methane in enclosed areas can lead to suffocation as large amounts of methane will decrease the amount of oxygen in the air. The effects of oxygen deficiency include headache, nausea, dizziness and unconsciousness. At very low oxygen concentrations (<12%), unconsciousness and death may occur very quickly and without warning.

Sewer gas diffuses and mixes with indoor air, and will be most concentrated where it is entering the home. It can accumulate in basements/crawl space areas. Explosion and fire: Methane and hydrogen sulfide are flammable and highly explosive. Plus your house just kind of stinks.

There are some basic steps that can be taken:

Flush all floor, sink, tub, laundry and shower drains with water one to two times per month to prevent the traps in pipes to the sewer from drying out. All toilets should be flushed as well since these have built in traps in the toilet bowl which can dry out. The water acts as a barrier in the traps to prevent the escape of gases into the home. If you cannot be present, then you should make arrangements for someone to periodically come in and perform this service for you. Occasionally check the roof plumbing vents for blockage from snow/ice or debris such as leaves or bird nests.