Plumbing Smoke Testing in Tulsa, OK
There is no better way to put an end to a sewer smell in the house when you cannot for the life of you find its source than with smoke testing. At Wooten Knock-Out Plumbing we do this all over Tulsa to uncover hidden leaks, cracked vent lines and failed seals, and we do not need to tear open a wall on a hunch to do it.
- Licensed & Insured
- Family-Owned & Operated
- Emergency Plumbing 24/7
- Certified Installers
What Plumbing Smoke Testing Is
The procedure is straightforward. We introduce non-toxic, odorless artificial smoke into your drain and vent system at a gentle pressure. The smoke will go where air can, and if there is a dried-out trap, an open joint or a bad wax ring, it will escape and tell us precisely where the trouble lies. It is a simple concept that spares a good deal of drywall; rather than opening up the house to hunt down a sewer gas leak, we just watch the smoke.
When We Recommend a Smoke Test in Tulsa
You will see us called out for the usual suspects: an intermittent sewer gas odor that defies tracing, or a hydrostatic test that has come back failed and needs a leak located. In some of the older homes here in Tulsa we suspect a cracked vent stack, or perhaps a pre-purchase inspection is in order for an aging sewer system. And for commercial properties with recurring odor complaints, it is the answer. If rooms have been reeking after a rain or when the wind is right, an hour or two with a smoke test will generally give you your why.
(918) 367-8887Why Tulsa Homes Develop These Leaks
Take the midtown area and other older parts of town. Many of those houses are still on original cast iron that has rusted through from the inside, or they vent through stacks that have moved with the Oklahoma clay soil over the years. Throw in the mineral scale from our moderately hard water and a guest bath trap left to dry out, and you have the makings of what we typically find: hairline cracks in the stack, a separated joint under the floor, or a seal that gave up years ago.
What Happens After the Smoke
Once the smoke reveals where the system is open, we have done half the work. Then we put a flat quote in writing for whatever is needed, be it a new wax ring, a vent repair, some pipe or a more substantial sewer repair. You will know the cost and the location of the problem before making any decisions. No pressure, no hidden fees.
Is the Smoke Safe?
Some ask about the safety of the test. Professional plumbing test smoke is non-toxic and non-staining and leaves no residue or odor. It is harmless to people, pets, furniture and electronics alike. We will explain the process to you beforehand, and because it is visible you can see the issue for yourself.
A Non-Invasive Way to Find What's Hiding
Property managers and landlords will tell you it is hard to beat for an efficient assessment of a building's drain and vent system. One service call and you have a clear picture of where things are open. We are an advanced diagnostic without the demolition: no jackhammers, no exploratory holes, no guessing. Our plumbers hold Oklahoma certification and have the experience to read what the smoke is saying, and we will add camera inspection or hydrostatic testing if the job calls for more than one kind of screening. Read any review of our work and you will see the same thing. Serving Tulsa, OK and the surrounding region.
(918) 367-8887Simple process.
Zero surprises.
Know what happens next, from your first call to the final check.
GIVE US A SHOUT
Tell us what’s going on. We’ll find a time and point you in the right direction.
WE FIGURE IT OUT
A plumber takes a look, explains what they find, and lays out your options.
WE FIX THE FLOW
With your approval, we make the repair with care for your home and your time.
YOU'RE GOOD TO GO
We check our work, tidy up, and make sure you’re comfortable with the result.
Serving Tulsa and the Surrounding Communities
We run these smoke tests for homes and businesses in Tulsa as well as Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Sand Springs, and Owasso. As a family-owned operation with three generations of Oklahoma plumbing in our background, we take pride in our work. When we are not putting the nose to the ground on a sewer odor, you might find us showing in-laws the old oil derrick and rail cars at the Route 66 Historical Village on Southwest Boulevard.
Serving Tulsa and nearby communitiesFrequently Asked Questions
1How long does a plumbing smoke test take?
For a residential job, figure one to two hours for setup and the test itself. Larger homes and commercial buildings will take their time. But you will walk away with an answer and an upfront quote on the same visit.
2Do I need to leave my house during the test?
No. The smoke is non-toxic and odorless and we control how much enters the system. Most homeowners like to stay and watch; when you see the smoke curling from behind a toilet, the mystery of the smell usually makes sense in an instant.
3Will the smoke set off my smoke detectors?
It can, so we plan for it. We will let you know before we start and manage the ventilation so the test goes off without a false-alarm surprise.
4My house smells like sewer but only sometimes - will a smoke test still find it?
That intermittent pattern is the very thing smoke testing is best at. An odor that comes and goes usually means a small opening that only passes gas under certain pressure or weather. The smoke finds the opening whether or not it happens to be smelly at that moment.
So if you are fed up with a mystery odor, give us a call for smoke testing in Tulsa, OK. We make it our business to find the leak, show it to you and quote the fix right then and there.