With the season shift to winter brings freezing temperatures and snow. It also means everyone is staying indoors more, as well as putting more strain on your home’s drainage and sewer system. As the winter months progress, there is more of a chance of the pipes freezing, soil shifting, roof vent frost, and older drainage systems being overwhelmed with water.
All of these things combined triggers bigger problems that requires costly repairs, such as leaky or damaged pipes and unconnected vent systems, to cause problems. That’s why we offer purple dye and smoke testing; it allows us to help homeowners find these sewer issues before winter storms arrive.
Getting a smoke test done before the first big winter storm hits is one of the best things you can do for the winter storm season.
What Exactly is a Sewer Smoke Test?
A sewer smoke test is a diagnostic process we use to find problems such as leaky pipes or unconnected systems within your drainage and sewer lines. Smoke testing is when our workers inject large volumes of non-toxic, odorless smoke into your system. As the smoke moves through the pipes, if there are any unsealed points of entry or damaged joints and vents, the smoke will find its way out; that’s how we locate the problem.
Homeowners should expect a quick, clean, and efficient test that does no damage to the plumbing system. The smoke leaves no residue and dissipates quickly after the test is done.
Why Winter Makes Sewer Issues Worse
Winter weather is tough on sewer lines for several reasons:
Freezing temperatures
Cold weather can cause any existing cracks to widen even further, which can cause leaks to worsen at a rapid rate.
Heavy snowmelt
Thawing snow adds more water to the system, which can overwhelm weak or partially blocked lines.
Blocked vents
Ice buildup can block vent stacks, which increases pressure inside the system and forces odors back inside the house.
Increased indoor water usage
Families tend to stay home more during the winter, which increases how often the drains are being used and exposes any existing underlying issues more quickly.
Top Reasons to Schedule a Smoke Test Before the First Storm
Detect Hidden Leaks Before They Freeze
Small leaks can go unnoticed during the warmer months, but can cause big problems when the temperatures drop. The smoke test will help identify these weak points earlier.
Identify Cracked or Broken Sewer Lines Early
Soils can shift during winter, and freezing water can worsen existing cracks, but finding the damage before the storms arrive will prevent the need for emergency repairs.
If severe structural issues are found, your home may need a repair service to ensure the system survives this weather.
Avoid Paying for Winter Backups and Winter’s Bad Smells
Clogs and broken sewage lines can cause sewage backups and remain dormant until heavy snows. Emergency Drain Cleanings are always an option for homeowners facing the crisis of drain blockages. Avoid these situations by testing early and often.
Locate Illegal or Improper Connections
If gutters are tied into the sewer system, these connections can overwhelm your system. Smoke testing these issues can be easy to spot.
Improve Home Safety by Finding Entry Points for Rodents, Gases, and Moisture
Smoke testing these gaps in the sewer systems highlights these entry points instantly. Rodents, sewer gases, and moisture can all enter through these gaps in the sewer systems, increasing risks in your home
What a Smoke Test Can Reveal That Other Ways Miss.
Unlike other inspections, like taking a video with a camera or just looking at and touching surfaces, smoke testing can:
- Find a little leak that can only be spotted with a camera
- Find hidden problems with your roof vents
- Find wrong drainage connections
- Show where sewer gases can escape from
It is quick and accurate and costs not too much. That is why earning Smoke Testing and Dye Services from Reliable gets you backed up before winter and helps keep you from damaging things in your home.
Step-by-Step: What Happens During a Smoke Test
Arrival and Setup: The Tech gets to the home and finds the access points, then gets the blower from their van and sets it up.
System Preparation: Drain and vent systems with the sewer are closed or checked so that they can direct the test smoke later.
Smoke Injection: Odourless smoke is inserted into the sewer lines.
Observation: The Tech looks for smoke in the air. Any of the openings that can be from the house, ground, or roof, or damage from a fixture, can be where a leak or other damage is.
Homeowner Explanation: The Tech will talk you through what they have found and what the most practical steps are.
The whole process is not invasive, and it is also a pass for plumbing, and for the people or pets in the house.
Smoke Test Duration and Cost
It usually takes between 45 to 90 minutes. However, the time will also be determined by how the house is and how the pipes in the house are.
Costs typically range from $150 to $600 based on the complexity of the property and if any additional diagnoses are required.
Signs You Need a Smoke Test Before Winter Hits
If you see any of the following, you should schedule testing:
- Gurgling drains
- Sewage smells inside or outside
- Slow drains or drains that keep getting clogged
- Moist or damp spots near the plumbing
- Pests around trapped drain areas
- Sudden spikes in water usage
Repeated drain clogs may also need Emergency Drain Cleaning done along with the testing.
9. Benefits of Getting It Done Before the First Big Winter Storm
- Getting a smoke test done early allows you to:
- Save on expensive emergency repair bills
- Protect your pipes from freezing and breaking
- Avoid sewer backups in the winter
- Know that all your drainage gets done properly for the whole winter
- Find underground problems before they get worse
- Keep a healthy, clean, and smell-free home
Why Professional Testing is Best
Professionals are best equipped for the job with smoke machines, high-end diagnostics, and experience. With a DIY approach, you won’t have the same safety or accuracy that a certified team would bring.
If serious problems are found, a Sewer Line Replacement and Repair Service will fully protect your home.
Schedule Your Test Before It Gets Too Cold
Getting Ready for Winter. One of the best ways to prepare your home for the winter months is to get a smoke working test. There are Reliable Dye And Smoke Testing Service that can detect underground leaks early on to prevent backups and keep your sewer system working in winter.
You can rest easy this season knowing that your home is ready to face anything winter can throw at it if you schedule your test before the first big winter storm.