Sewer smoke testing

Smoke Test | Plumbing Leak Detection

Services for All of Santa Cruz County
Clean, Low-Impact Testing Methods
Local and Licensed Plumbing Company
Your Satisfaction Is Our Priority

License #784642

What is Smoke Testing?

Smoke testing is a non-invasive, highly efficient way to identify leaks and faulty connections in your plumbing system. By introducing a controlled amount of harmless but visible smoke into your system, our team can easily watch for signs of cracks, gaps, or faulty seals. 

As Santa Cruz’s top plumbing team, we are highly experienced at detecting leaks and repairing them – without causing damage to your system. If you think you might have a leak or faulty seal, contact us to set up your plumbing smoke test today.

Smoke coming from sewer

Our Smoke Testing Process

  • 1

    Preparation 

    Upon arrival at your home, our team will efficiently isolate the section of the plumbing system that we need to test. This involves closing all the valves, sealing off open pipes, and ensuring all fixtures and drains are adequately blocked.

  • 2

    Smoke Bombs

    Our plumbing technicians will introduce a controlled, non-toxic smoke source into your system, likely using a specialized smoke machine or a generator that’s designed for this purpose. We will also gradually pressurize the system to avoid damaging your pipes.

  • 3

    Leak Detection

    As smoke escapes from any leaks or faulty connections, we will carefully note the locations for further investigation and repair. Once all of the leaks or issues have been identified, we’ll isolate them by sealing off or repairing the affected sections.

  • 4

    Problem Resolution

    After gathering all of the information, the Duncan Plumbing crew will compile a comprehensive report of the testing process, including recommendations for necessary repairs and maintenance. We’ll then ventilate the plumbing system to ensure it’s clear of smoke and ready for regular use.  

The Benefits of Smoke Testing

Precision 

Smoke testing is widely considered the most accurate method for detecting leaks – even those that are tiny or concealed in difficult-to-access spots.

Non-Invasive

Many homeowners prefer this method of leak detection because it doesn’t require us to dig up any or risk damage to the plumbing system. It’s safe, efficient, and harmless.

Quick and Cost-Effective  

Smoke testing is a targeted, efficient approach that saves time and money. By precisely identifying leaks, we can avoid exploratory work, reduce repair costs, and minimize disruptions. 

Smoke test plumbing leak detection

Dealing With an Emergency Leak?

Are you worried you have a serious leak in your home? Are you seeing signs of water damage? 

Contact Duncan Plumbing today for emergency plumbing services. We’ll arrive at your Santa Cruz property as soon as possible to mitigate the issue and begin repairs.

Great Deals on Drain Cleaning Services We Offer

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Great Reasons to Hire Duncan Plumbing

Immediate Response 24/7

As the top licensed Santa Cruz plumbers, our Duncan Plumbing team is dedicated to providing exceptional experience and professionalism. When you contact us, we’ll respond to your request in a timely manner.

Same or Next-Day Service  

Most plumbing issues cannot be ignored. At Duncan Plumbing, we respond to every call with a sense of urgency. Our goal is to eliminate the issue and prevent hazards, mitigating the damage to your property.

Cleanliness & Care

Each and every one of our plumbing technicians will treat your home with respect and care. Once we’re done with our testing, we’ll clean up the space and leave it better than we found it.

Targeted Solutions

We’re not interested in treating everything as a nail just because we have a hammer. When we identify issues or leaks in your plumbing system, you can trust that we’ll apply the best, most effective solutions.

Duncan Plumbing Has Experienced Plumbers Ready to Serve You in the Following Communities:

Frequently Asked Questions

Smoke testing is generally considered a safe, non-destructive method for identifying leaks and faults in plumbing systems – as long as the testing is conducted by trained professionals who are following industry standards.

Experienced technicians, such as the Duncan Plumbing crew, should always perform smoke testing in plumbing systems. If you attempt to handle the test on your own, you risk mishandling equipment or failing to follow necessary safety protocols, increasing the likelihood of accidents or damage to the system. 

 

Our professional technicians also have the expertise to interpret test results and identify issues accurately. This helps ensure that the repairs are performed correctly, preventing further damage and maintaining the integrity of the plumbing system.

The duration of a typical plumbing smoke test depends on several factors, including the following:

  • Size and complexity of the plumbing system
  • Number of potential leaks and issues noted
  • Expertise of the plumbing technicians 

Generally, a residential smoke test will take our team anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to complete. However, we may require more time for larger or more intricate systems, as well as tests on commercial properties. 

 

To learn how long your smoke test will take, contact Duncan Plumbing today. We’ll provide you with a more accurate estimate based on your needs and property size.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Excellent
4.5
Based on 768 reviews
Duncan Plumbing has been my go to plumbing service since moving here 4 years ago. They are extremely responsive to any request, even on the weekend !!! Everyone on their team is professional and extremely customer service oriented. They communicate exactly what they are doing and what the options are to address the issue. For tough issues, they quickly reach out to experts in the company to figure out the best plan of action. I appreciate their attention and ability to address my needs..
Amazing service! Ramiro from Duncan Plumbing was superbly professional, extremely knowable, and just an all around great person. All of my major plumbing issues were addressed in an expedient manner. Duncan Plumbing, and specifically Ramiro will be my go-to plumber forever!
Great job, attention to detail was superbly done! Many thanks to Nick and Issack for completing in a timely manner. A plus and deserving a bonus!
Leak detection notices is never a good thing. After several inquiries to which business to choose, I contacted Duncan Plumbing, and it was an EXCELLENT choice. I spoke to Amanda on my initial call, and she was so pleasant to talk to and work with through this process. When Nick arrived at our home and conducted his initial assessment, he explained everything in detail which eased our frustration with the leak. Unfortunately, our leak required more visits from Nick and other plumbing techs. After the repair and this experience, I will always call Duncan Plumbing for any plumbing service. The staff are responsive, professional, efficient and really care about their customers…you won’t be disappointed if you make the call!!!
When it was time for a new water heater, Duncan's proposal was the best match for what we wanted. They showed up on time, swapped in the new heater, disposed of the old one, and made sure everything was working. We're very pleased with the result!
I was very impressed with Frank and how professional he was during the time he was here to take care of our pressure valve.
He is a very smart & good individual and he does great work.
I am a retired General and HVAC contractor so I am very attuned to honesty, integrity and superior service when I experience it. I am responsible for my 97-year old Father, a World War II Veteran with some dementia, on a fixed retirement income, who lives in Scotts Valley. When a question regarding the water quality at my Father's house was raised by one of his care-givers, Duncan Plumbing was recommended to me. I contacted Grey at Duncan Plumbing and he was able to quickly dispatch Frank, a Duncan plumbing technician, who performed a survey and then called me. The problem involved some periodic sediment in the cold water line and Frank assured me that for a house of this age and construction, this was unfortunately a normal circumstance. What impressed me about Frank and Duncan Plumbing was the fact that they could have easily created a false pretense about the plumbing, and even with my experience, I was in no position to confirm it myself due to my living some distance from my Father. That aspect alone has earned my trust and I would not hesitate to engage Duncan Plumbing again in the future. But the story doesn't end here. When I contacted the office afterwards to arrange payment, Grey told me that since Frank only inspected the system, but didn't actually have to make any repairs, there would be no charge for the service call! As a retired business owner, I know a good business arrangement fairly benefits both parties. Since my attempted payment was refused, my only alternative is to publish my story where potential customers might see it. I am very appreciative of, and highly recommend, Duncan Plumbing!
I recently hired Duncan Plumbing to fix a kitchen plumbing problem. Jacy was knowledgeable, polite and completed the job efficiently. Duncan Plumbing checks up on customer satisfaction and finished the project for a third of the cost of another plumbers bid.
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