Trace the source
Smoke can reveal openings around drains, vents, cleanouts, and plumbing connections that are difficult to find by odor alone.
Sewer gas diagnosis
Smoke testing for sewer gas leak detection
Persistent sewer odor can come from a dry trap, damaged vent, disconnected drain, or hidden opening. A controlled smoke test can help trace where smoke escapes so the repair targets the actual entry point.
Protect the home
We consider occupied spaces, ventilation, fixtures, and the condition of the drainage system before testing.
Repair the cause
Results may point to a trap, vent, drain connection, foundation drain, or sewer lateral issue that needs a separate repair plan.
Common signs you need smoke testing
Sewer gas odor with no visible leak is one of the most frustrating problems in a house, because the smell rarely comes from where you smell it. Smoke testing finds the actual entry point instead of guessing at it.
- A sewer or rotten egg smell indoors with no visible leak anywhere.
- Odor that comes and goes with wind, weather, or barometric changes.
- Smell strongest in one room, closet, or near a specific floor drain.
- Odor that started after a remodel, a new fixture, or a basement finish.
- A guest bath or floor drain that is rarely used and has a dry trap.
- Smell that persists after the drain line was already cleared.
- Odor near a laundry standpipe, utility sink, or crawlspace access.
- Headaches or nausea that improve when you leave the house.
Our process and equipment
Smoke testing pressurizes the drain and vent system with non-toxic smoke and lets the building show you where it is leaking. It is a diagnostic, not a repair, and it is the fastest way to stop guessing.
Prep and isolation
We identify the access point, protect the work area, and confirm which portion of the drain and vent system is being tested.
Introduce non-toxic smoke
The system is filled with a non-toxic, low-pressure smoke. It follows the same path the sewer gas is already taking into the house.
Track every exit point
Smoke escaping at a wall penetration, a dry trap, a failed wax ring, a cracked vent stack, or an unsealed cleanout tells us exactly where the odor is entering.
Check the roof vents
Vent terminations, improper tie-ins, and rodent or debris blockages are common causes and are invisible from inside the house.
Document what we find
Every exit point gets recorded so the repair scope is based on evidence rather than a guess about which fixture is at fault.
Recommend the actual repair
Some findings are a ten-minute fix like refilling a dry trap. Others are a wax ring, a vent repair, or a broken line. You get the list and the priority order.
Sewer odor service across Kansas City
Older homes and limestone foundation conditions can make drainage and vent problems harder to locate. We serve homeowners across Kansas City, Independence, Raytown, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and nearby communities.
Frequently asked questions
What affects the cost of smoke testing?
The size of the system and how much of it needs to be isolated and tested. A single-story home on one stack is straightforward. A larger house, a finished basement, an addition, or multiple stacks takes longer. The test itself is a diagnostic, so the repair cost depends entirely on what the smoke reveals. We give you the test findings and repair options separately so you can decide what to do next.
How quickly can you get to my house in the Kansas City metro?
We are a local crew rather than a national dispatch center, so the honest answer depends on where you are and what is already on the schedule. Closer-in areas like Downtown, Midtown, North Kansas City, and Raytown are usually quickest. Independence, Blue Springs, and Lee's Summit take longer, especially in traffic. Call and we will give you a real arrival window instead of a guess.
Do you guarantee the repairs found by a smoke test?
We offer workmanship and parts warranty options, and we work with home warranty programs. What applies depends on the job and the condition of the system, so we tell you which coverage fits before the work starts, not after.
Is a sewer gas smell an emergency?
Sewer gas is not something to live with. It can indicate a failed trap, a broken vent, or an open drain line, and prolonged exposure causes headaches and nausea. If the odor is strong or anyone in the house is feeling ill, treat it as urgent and ventilate the area. We answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ask about warranty options
Ask about our workmanship and parts warranty options and our home warranty program when you request service.
Call (816) 705-1538Request service
Tracking down a sewer gas smell?
Smoke testing locates sewer gas entry points and drain system leaks in Kansas City metro homes. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.