Published by American Structural Pest Control West | Serving the South Bay, CA

If you’ve been dealing with a persistent rodent problem that professional treatment hasn’t been able to fully resolve, a sewer smoke test might be the answer you haven’t considered yet. It sounds unusual for a pest control company to offer this service and we understand that. But there’s a very specific reason we added it and it comes directly from a real situation we encountered right here in the South Bay.

While rodent entry is the primary reason we perform smoke tests, the diagnostic information a test provides can be relevant to other pest situations as well. Plumbing breaches create conditions that a range of pests can exploit and having a clear picture of where those vulnerabilities exist is valuable beyond just rodent control.

If you want the full backstory, including the case that led us to invest in this capability, we covered it in detail in our article on plumbing smoke tests and rodent entry. This article is the shorter version for anyone who just wants to understand what a smoke test is, what it tells you and whether it makes sense for their situation.

What Is a Sewer Smoke Test?

A sewer smoke test is a diagnostic tool used to identify breaches, cracks, disconnected joints or improper connections in a plumbing system. Non-toxic artificial smoke is introduced into the sewer lines and drain system under gentle pressure. Wherever smoke appears from a location it shouldn’t, that indicates a breach in the system.

The smoke is completely safe. It is non-toxic, leaves no residue and dissipates quickly. It is used in both residential and commercial settings and poses no risk to people, pets or the structure.

What Does This Have to Do With Rodents?

More than most people realize. Rats are capable swimmers and can hold their breath for up to three minutes. They are also documented to travel through sewer lines. When there is a breach in the plumbing system, a cracked pipe, a failed joint, an improperly connected vent, that opening can become a direct entry point from the sewer into the interior of a home.

No amount of exterior exclusion work will solve a rodent problem that originates from within the plumbing system. If a rat is entering through the sewer it is bypassing every gap you’ve sealed on the outside entirely. This is why some rodent situations that have had thorough professional treatment and complete exclusion work still experience ongoing activity. The entry point is underground or inside the walls and it has never been found.

Many homes in the South Bay that have not had major renovations are working with plumbing systems that are over 50 years old. Pipes of that age can develop cracks, failed joints and deteriorated seals that create exactly these kinds of breaches. Homes that have had any renovation work involving plumbing are also at risk if that work was not done correctly or up to code.

What the Process Looks Like

Our team is trained and equipped to perform sewer smoke tests independently using our own professional fog trace machine by Sewer Assassin. Here is a brief overview of how the process works.

Step one: arrival and setup

Our technician arrives and assesses the property before beginning. Access points to the plumbing system are identified and the trace machine is set up and connected to introduce smoke into the system.

Step two: smoke is introduced

Non-toxic artificial smoke is pushed through the plumbing system under gentle pressure. The technician and anyone assisting monitor the property for smoke appearing from locations outside the expected venting points.

Step three: findings are observed and documented

Any location where smoke emerges unexpectedly indicates a breach. Our technician documents every finding with photos and detailed notes so that the location and nature of each breach is clearly recorded.

Step four: report is prepared and shared

A full report of findings is prepared and shared with the customer. If plumbing repair work is needed we coordinate with a qualified plumbing partner and share our report directly with them so they have a complete picture of what needs to be addressed and where.

Do You Need a Smoke Test?

A sewer smoke test is not the right first step for every rodent situation and we want to be clear about that. The vast majority of rodent problems in South Bay homes are resolved through inspection, trapping and exclusion work.

A smoke test becomes worth considering when all of the following are true. You have had a thorough professional rodent program including exclusion work. Activity has continued despite that treatment with no identifiable exterior entry points remaining. Activity is concentrated near plumbing areas such as bathrooms, kitchens or utility rooms. Or there has been any renovation or remodeling work on the home at any point that involved plumbing.

If you check those boxes and you’re still seeing rodent activity, a plumbing breach may be the piece of the puzzle that has never been looked at. Give us a call and we can assess whether a smoke test makes sense for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the smoke safe for my family and pets?

Yes. The smoke used is non-toxic artificial smoke specifically designed for diagnostic use in occupied buildings. It dissipates quickly, leaves no residue and poses no risk to people or pets.

Do I need a plumber to perform the smoke test?

No. Our team at ASPCW is trained and equipped to perform the smoke test independently using our own professional fog trace machine by Sewer Assassin. If the test identifies plumbing breaches that require repair work we bring in a qualified plumbing partner and share our full report with them. You don’t need to coordinate two separate companies from scratch.

How long does a smoke test take?

The test itself is relatively quick, typically completed within an hour depending on the size and layout of the property. The full process including setup, the test, documentation and report preparation may take a bit longer but it is generally a same-day service.

What happens if the smoke test finds a breach?

We document the finding with photos and a detailed report. If plumbing repair is needed we connect you with a qualified plumbing partner and share our findings with them directly. Once the repair is made and any remaining rodent activity is addressed through trapping and exclusion, the problem can be fully resolved. We have seen situations where years of ongoing rodent issues were completely resolved once a plumbing breach was identified and corrected.

Dealt With Rodents for Too Long With No Clear Answer?

If you’ve had professional treatment, exclusion work has been completed and you’re still seeing activity, a plumbing breach may be what’s been missed. Give us a call and we’ll assess whether a smoke test makes sense for your home.

American Structural Pest Control West

Phone: (310) 699-3110

Email: office@aspcwinc.com

Website: aspcw.com

Serving Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo and throughout the South Bay.