Had to smoke the sewer system

[D2Cat]

Did everything I could think of to find sewer gas entering the living area with no success.

Went to the plumbing supply store and bought a smoke bomb. Used my shop vac to blow the smoke. Removed the filter and put a metal coffee can in side with the smoke capsule in the can. Covered the vents about 3/4 of the diameter with duct tape. Vacuum actually blew the smoke with a little too much pressure, but it worked.

 

[PHPaul]

So, did you find the leak?

 

[85Hokie]

Had a house a long time ago.....finished basement, OTHER than the 1/2 Bath.....

I would always smell "stuff" about every month or so, the toilet worked, but was rarely used.............found the problem to be, the water in the toilet evaporated to the point there was NO water left in the trap! So......trick was - flush it once a month whether you needed to or NOT!

 

[D2Cat]

I must have. It hasn't smelled since the work was done two weeks ago.

Ended up with a tremendous amount of smoke coming up by the back stoop. About a foot from the house and 3'-4' out. Dug that line up (about 20" deep) and it was Cast Iron that had corroded and cracked.

Then proceeded to keep digging. Found the line that had a wye and came from the main drain further back and then went to the septic tank.

Tank was 36" deep. Had tank pumped, just because I was there. Then replaced all the iron pipe with sch. 40 PVC and added a cleanout on the 3" near the house.

I also added about 2' to a couple of the vent on the roof. I think the addition to the vents actually solved the problem. Gas was only a problem right after/during using the shower, and on a calm day.

We bought this house about 3 years ago, as is where is. Elderly couple lived there. Husband was deceased, wife was in a assisted living and we purchased it through their son. So...we didn't know where the septic tank was until a tenant had a stool not flush. At that time I had a plumber with a camera find the problem and then locate the tank.

 

[PHPaul]

Ah. Glad to hear you solved the problem.

Neat trick using the smoke, I'll have to remember that.

 

[D2Cat]

I looked up the product and found manufactures in NJ and Minn. but they only sold through distributors. I looked for the distributors and called a couple, but they didn't have any in stock!

Must be a slow selling item. I finally went to a plumbing supply (Reeves-Wiedeman) and they had them in stock.

Whole process only took minutes. It was 10:00 AM when I got on the roof and it was still frosty up there!

 

[Steve67]

This post just reminded me to add some water to the floor drain by my furnace, the trap tends to get dry in the winter . Thanks

 

[Toyboy]

The trick I learned to not let the traps dry out, is put a tablespoon of cooking oil in them. Keeps the air from evaporating the water.

 

[L35]

The trick I learned to not let the traps dry out, is put a tablespoon of cooking oil in them. Keeps the air from evaporating the water.

How do you get the oil on the other side of the trap?

 

[Toyboy]

How do you get the oil on the other side of the trap?

I just put it in the trap/drain. It floats on the water.
I don't understand your question.

 

[skeets]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Cat there is so many bad ways to go with that header, I cant even start

 

[sdk1968]

you can usually get smoke test kits at any grainger or plumping store...

glad you found the problem & got it fixed!


pet peeve of mine to have to smell septic gas.

 

[L35]

I just put it in the trap/drain. It floats on the water.
I don't understand your question.

A trap is U shaped, the water in it is exposed to air on 2 sides. If you pour a small amount of oil down the trap it will block the water from evaporating on one side but not the other.

 

[100 td]

I like the smoke idea.
The other side of U is exposed to constant moisture from the entire piping system, so it's evaporation rate could be slower? I have never used the oil, but may be worth a try for areas you don't get to often. I had thought of shoving in a big piece of closed cell foam on a cord.

 

[Toyboy]

A trap is U shaped, the water in it is exposed to air on 2 sides. If you pour a small amount of oil down the trap it will block the water from evaporating on one side but not the other.

The water on the other side of the trap seems like a non issue to me. Frankly I've never given it a thought. We have a full blown lower level complete with kitchen, and when our guests leave and it's all been cleaned, I do the vegetable/cooking oil thing.
I have to admit though, that about every three months or so I will run water through all the faucets/shower and refresh with oil.
This works for me and was just a suggestion, you can do whatever you want in your home.

 

[D2Cat]

I you're gong to use oil, why not use peppermint or cinnamon oil. Then it would put off a nice aroma and you'd know when it's depleted.