Precision Plumbing Services
Smoke Testing
in Eugene, OR
Precision Plumbing offers reliable plumbing smoke testing in Eugene, Oregon.
Find hidden sewer leaks, odors, and problem connections.
Emergency service, same day, within business hours · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · CCB #234073
The short answer
As a diagnostic tool, smoke testing is employed to pinpoint where the sewer or storm lines are permitting air and water to enter or leave the system. In Eugene, Oregon, for instance, the process involves putting non-toxic smoke under controlled pressure into the sewer main.
Any that makes its way out will be visible at a crack, an open cleanout, a missing cap, or some other type of defect, be it an improper connection or otherwise. It is an effective visual means of determining if a residential or multifamily property has any kind of exposure that might compromise indoor HVAC or outdoor air quality, as well as identifying openings not apparent from within the pipe.
The Typical Procedure
01
To begin, a technician will cordon off a portion of the sewer or storm system, which may involve blocking manholes or cleanouts to manage the flow.
02
Low pressure is used to force non-toxic smoke into the line. This can be done as part of a larger engagement with camera inspection or leak detection, or as an evaluation in its own right.
03
The technicians then put in some time walking the neighborhood, looking for smoke to surface from the ground, yard drains, roof penetrations, vents, manholes, or anywhere else it should not be.
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Wherever smoke is seen, it is put down as a sample finding for an engineer or contractor to act on, or to warrant further camera work and repair.
What You Can Expect to Be Found
This form of testing is good for turning up a number of issues:
01
Sections of pipe that are broken or have cracks running to the surface
02
Fittings that are not properly sealed or a lack of caps on cleanouts
03
Any illegal hook-ups to the sanitary sewer, such as from a footing or yard drain
04
Other ways in which the sewer pipes are left open to the environment
Safety and Limitations
While it is a broad diagnostic, smoke testing will show you where the smoke goes but does not tell the whole story regarding internal damage or contaminant levels.
There are blind spots; if a problem is deep, fully submerged, or concealed by a structure so the smoke has no way to the surface, it will not be detected. A camera scope is better suited for that interior view.
Whether or not to proceed with smoke testing can depend on local rules and weather. One must also consider the compliance requirements of Lane County or other jurisdictions in the area.
The smoke itself is non-toxic, but our technicians observe all safety protocols and will give nearby properties notice beforehand. For those with questions on equipment placement or HVAC precautions, the representative can provide details.
In the event of respiratory concerns or sensitivity to particulate matter from recent burns or wildfires, it is best to talk to the provider about air quality. Should there be residue in the home, a lab can be brought in to test for mold and advise on remediation or filter changes.
How It Compares to a Sewer Camera Inspection
They are both diagnostic in nature, yet the information they yield is different. A sewer camera inspection, for example, puts a camera in the pipe to lay out exactly what is going on inside: the blockages, root intrusion, corrosion, the precise layout, and any cracks present.
With a video scope, a technician can put the issue in front of the customer for all to see before suggesting anything from a simple repair or replacement to trenchless lining and excavation.
Then there is smoke testing. This method will highlight where the sewer system is leaking to the surface or taking in illicit inflow. It can turn up external access points or defects that an internal camera view would miss; one might see smoke issuing from a manhole cover, a yard drain, or even roof vents.
The two are often used in tandem. Smoke testing can be a fast way to zero in on problem areas, after which a camera is put to work to size up any internal damage and chart a course for corrective action. In this way, they give a more complete picture of the wastewater infrastructure and drainage.
Common Repair Paths if Smoke Testing Turns Up a Problem
The result will dictate what happens next. One might opt for:
Trenchless sewer repair
Be it pipe lining or bursting, this mends the line without the need to tear up the entire yard, keeping disruption to the neighborhood and the extent of excavation to a minimum.
A traditional excavated repair or full replacement of the sewer line
Called for when the site demands it or the damage is too extensive for trenchless work.
Targeted work on cleanouts, caps, or small damaged sections of pipe
Putting in new covers can go a long way to ensure proper connections and stem any inflow or infiltration.
An engineer or seasoned contractor will look at the damage and put forward the right plan of action, be it a repair or a more involved correction, and make note of any testing or compliance needed. Some will also put in sensors or do post-repair monitoring to check on performance down the road.
Is It Time for a Smoke Test?
If there is unexplained seepage around cleanouts, odd sump pump activity, or you are trying to track down an illegal connection from a downspout to the sanitary system, it is worth inquiring about. The same goes for lingering sewer smells.
A licensed technician can tell you if a smoke test, a camera run, or some combination is in order. Every situation is its own, whether it is a municipal zone, a multifamily complex, or a residential lot.
Sewer Diagnostics in Eugene by Precision Plumbing
Our team of licensed journeyman plumbers at Precision Plumbing are in the habit of doing their due diligence with sewer camera and smoke inspections to confirm a problem before we recommend a fix.
For those in Eugene, Springfield, and the rest of Lane County, we will assess the property and the condition of the pipes to see if trenchless options like pipe bursting or lining are the way to go, or if a full excavation is warranted based on your priorities.
We work with homeowners and property managers alike to see that the job is done in accordance with local safety and guidelines, coordinating any electrical or mechanical aspects as required.
What to Do Next
Should you be dealing with slow drains, clogs that won’t quit, or think your service line is on its way out, an inspection is in order. We can show you what is going on with a sewer camera and let you know if a smoke test would be useful.
Get in touch with a member of our crew to set up an evaluation or to talk through your options for remediation or restoration.
A Word of Note
While this piece covers the general application and limitations of smoke testing, only a local technician can determine if it is the right call for your property. Put the question to your plumber or engineer, and they can advise on the best diagnostic approach and any clearances or certifications that may be called for.
Reviews
What customers say about Smoke Testing
Real 5-star Google reviews from Precision Plumbing customers.
★★★★★
We have worked with Precision Plumbing on numerous projects over the years and they are our “go-to plumbers” for any/all projects . No issues. great communication and zero complaints from our clients. highly recommend.
Austin Kocian, Balanced Home Improvement LLC · via Google
★★★★★
I had an apparent water leak outside near my back door, the water meter indicated a 10 gal/hour leak. Montana with Precision Plumbing arrived within an hour of my call. He immediately noticed a hose bibb 20 feet away leaking a slow, steady stream. The water had run underground, under a concrete slab and surfaced 20 feet away. Tightened down the hose bibb handle and verified the leak had stopped by checking the water meter. Thanks Precision, I’ll definitely use you in the future.
John Sisk · via Google
★★★★★
Roy from Precision Plumbing came and fixed leaks and clogs in multiple places quickly and efficiently. He was professional and did a great job. I will always call Precision Plumbing for my plumbing needs.
Tamara Harris · via Google
★★★★★
Friendly, professional, did a great job re-lining our sewer so that we didn’t have to dig up the yard and remove our nice cedar tree. Cleaned up everything so you couldn’t tell anything happened. Enjoyed working with Precision.
Lee Boutell · via Google
★★★★★
Highly skilled crew used great care (avoiding a tree removal!) while completing a sewer line repair in a delicate spot with nearly no disruption to our daily activities. We will absolutely trust Precision Plumbing for any future plumbing needs.
Melissa Brennan · via Google
★★★★★
As an owner of a local restoration company, it’s great to have a reliable plumber to turn to when we encounter leaks and broken pipes. I’ve also used Precision Plumbing at my own home. Evan has built a really great team and you can rest assured that the plumbers that come arrive when they tell you they will, are reliable, and are fairly priced. Great working with y’all
Dan Atchison · via Google
★★★★★
We couldn’t be more pleased with the work done by Precision Plumbing! Our technician, Roy, was efficient, professional and friendly! We had a faucet replaced and he took extra care to check for leaks and said we could call if we had any concerns. Clogged drain was cleared as well! Very pleased with the cost of the service.
Al Villanueva · via Google
★★★★★
Joshua was very professional & knowledgeable! He explained things well and left the area clean & drain flowing well! Will definitely call them if I have plumbing issues again!
Theresa Scholz · via Google
★★★★★
Professional, efficient, and pricing fair! Josh was a pleasure to work with. Not only fixed my leak, but educated me on my house. Thank you!
Anastassia Cardona · via Google
Related Work
Or see photographs from our own job sites — trenches, crawl spaces, and the parts of the job nobody photographs for a brochure.
Trenchless Sewer Repair
Repair the sewer line beneath your home without turning the yard into a construction site.
Sewer Line Repair
Clear diagnosis and durable sewer line repairs for homes across Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County.
Water Line Replacement
Replace a failing water service line with a durable solution, from trenching to trenchless pipe boring.
Coverage Area
Serving Eugene, Springfield & Lane County
Eight communities, one crew, serving Lane County from Eugene, OR 97404. Every city on the map is somewhere we work weekly — pick one to see the housing stock we run into there.
On the edge of the map, or just outside it? Call and ask — coverage decisions here are made by a person, not a ZIP-code list: (541) 636-4725
On the Job
Real Work From Our Crew
Photos from our own job sites across Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County — not stock images.
The right plumber does make a difference.
Don't put off today what can become a bigger, more expensive issue down the road. Send us the short version and we will call you back.
Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Emergency service, same day, within business hours · CCB #234073
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