Sewer gas is a toxic mix of methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. It is more than a bad smell; prolonged exposure to it can cause damage to your organs and even death. This is why it is so important to test for sewer gas as soon as you suspect a leak. If you are smelling that unmistakable rotten egg odor, it is time to call in your local plumbing professional for an inspection. Go here: https://gasleakdetector.com/sewer-gas-detector/
A functioning sewer system carries wastes, solids, and liquids from the home to the sewage system for disposal. A plumbing system should never allow this noxious mixture to seep back into the home through a leak in the line. A sewer and venting system is designed to prevent this from happening by creating a barrier of water around all drains and vents. This allows for air to move through the system without mixing with the sewage and waste materials.
Sewer Gas Testing 101: Understanding the Basics
It is not always easy to determine the source of a sewer leak; especially because it may be sporadic. Air movement from heating and cooling systems, doors opening and closing, and ceiling fans can mask the odor and create false readings on a detector. A plumber should perform a thorough visual inspection of the drains and vents in the house to ensure they are not cracked, blocked, or disconnected.
After the initial inspection, a professional plumber will conduct a smoke test. This is where they inject inert smoke into the plumbing system and watch for a visible vapor to form at the location of the leak. This is a quick way to pinpoint the exact location of a leak within the sewer lines without cutting open walls or searching through crawl spaces.