February 2022 - What does smoke testing involve?
Smoke testing is used to show us where there may be damage or incorrect wastewater connections, so we can investigate and plan repairs or improvements.
Our diagram and photos show how smoke testing works and what’s involved.
A small amount of smoke is pumped into your private wastewater system from the inspection opening, or our maintenance hole on your property.
The smoke is more like a mist – it is environmentally safe and will disappear after a few minutes without any odour.
The noise from the generator that provides power to the smoke machine sounds similar to a lawn mower, and will run for short periods during the testing.
Smoke testing is an effective and helpful way to:
- show us if our wastewater maintenance hole is damaged
- check for leaks in pipes and fixtures
- locate where cracked, broken or unsealed pipes or joints are underground
- find out if stormwater downpipes are incorrectly connected to the wastewater system.
If smoke escapes from the wastewater system, it will be visible above the ground.
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It’s normal to see smoke coming out of your private wastewater vent pipes, which are usually located on the roof or side of the house. This shows that the vent pipes are in good working order and your wastewater system is connected correctly. You may see smoke coming from the outside drains or gutters on your property, and sometimes it might enter your home through the laundry, kitchen, or bathroom drains. This is why we ask you to put some water in your sinks and cover your floor drains during the inspection. The smoke does not indicate a fire, but please let our team know if you see smoke in your home during our inspections. The smoke will clear in a few minutes with normal ventilation. |
