Smoke Testing - Service Description

Smoke Testing will find:

• Root Intrusion
• Driveway or Deck Drains
• Faulty Pipes
• Roof Downspouts
• Pipe Sags
• Sinks with dry P-Traps
• Cleanouts with missing or Broken Covers
• Pond or Pool Overflows

Smoke Testing is used to determine:

• The sources of entry into the collection system of surface waters (surface inflow) on both public and private property.  This includes catch basins, storm sewer or irrigation. 
   
• The sources of entry into the collection system of illegal connections on both public and private property such as  downspout connections or industrial connections, yard drains, or cooling water
   
• The sources of entry into the collection system due to broken or missing cleanout caps
   
• Lost manholes
   
• Breaks in the main sewers or laterals that leach to the surface

Communication: Utility to provide USSI with emergency, fire and police contact information. USSI will notify Emergency and Utility Staff, pertaining to dates, times and locations of smoke testing program. 

Equipment: USSI uses a motorized smoke machine and non-toxic, liquid smoke that is safe and will not leave a residue. During testing, smoke is forced through the wastewater collection system which reveals breaks and defects. Following testing, fresh air is forced through the collection system.

Pre-Testing: USSI will print and distribute, smoke testing “Door Hanger” notifications to all home and business locations, which may be affected during smoke testing - Dates of testing are indicated on notification cards. This step is conducted a few days prior to testing.  Smoke testing of all collections systems may affect occupants of buildings connected to the line being tested.  Factors such as defective sewer systems in the building, dry traps, defective wax beneath toilets, terminated vents or breaks, missing or unsealed cleanouts of any kind will cause smoke to enter the building.  It is imperative to avoid panic or alarm if workers or residents suddenly see smoke in their building.

Testing: USSI smoke testing is conducted with a minimum of three fully trained company technicians. One technician remains with the smoke equipment, while two or more technicians look for and record any defects in the lateral lines.  

Reports: Clients are provided with detailed reports of Smoke Testing in both hard copy and CD-ROM format.  The report consists of an Aerial Photograph and Detailed Map of Testing Area. Call-outs indicate breaches in system. Also included with report are the GPS locations, detailed descriptions and color photographs of each defect.

Click HERE for a copy of the MSDS for the Smoke Test Oil that we use.