Plumbing is the set of systems that allow the flow and disposal of liquid, most often water, through the home. In other words, it not only provides water, but also drains wastewater to sewers and other collection and drainagesystems. It is therefore connected downstream to a system containing potentially foul-smelling products, but also infested by more or less invading animals such as rodents. That’s why any plumbing problem must be taken immediately seriously and treatedurgently. We will be talking about lifting a veil on identifying plumbing leaks so that this problem is no longer the cause of your strange smell concerns.
What is a plumbing leak and what is it due to?
In general, a leak is an opening that most often corresponds to abnormal cracks in a normally enclosed system. In plumbing, a leak occurs when a junction in the plumbing system is no longer airtight or when a pipe is broken or impacted somewhere. These leaks can cause strange odours to emanate from the home. But more frequently, these odors are due to leaks resulting from poor maintenance of the exhaust pipes.
How do I spot a plumbing leak?
A leak is a plumbing problem whose identification can be more or less complicated. These leaks cause bad odours and can come from a variety of sources. The culprits include:
- The sink;
- The toilets;
- The kitchen;
- The shower or bathtub;
- The washing machine;
- The vent, etc.
Determining the leakage that causes odours involves the use of various more or less technical means. The most effective of these means, nowadays, is the smoke test. This method essentially identifies pipe breaks, defective joints, but also possible errors in the pipes’ connections.
The smoke test: how does it work?
The process relies mainly on the volatility of the smoke and its ability to seep into the smallest cracks. It involves pressuring harmless smoke into the pipes to identify exit points. The different smoke exit points represent the weakness points of the tested network. This may be an internal or external point of the house. Note that the method is more and more widespread as its effectiveness is proven. In Montreal, Longueuil or Laval, the company Test de Fumée Delta is the specialist in this method of investigation in plumbing. Its expertise is sought by most municipal services, but also by individuals and industrialists in search of tranquillity. His role alongside exterminators in the Quebec region also made him a major ally against rat intrusions.
What are the benefits of smoke testing?
The main advantage of the smoke test is its reliability. It is almost impossible to miss pipe leaks using this method. You are sure to identify the source of the odors with a clear precision, but also, to win the fight against rats by carrying out their extermination after spotting them. The smoke test also saves time on identifying weakness points in the plumbing network and thus preventing not only odour fumes, but also and above all theintrusion of rodent vermin.
What are the other ways to eliminate odours?
When the source of odours is found in the pipe,the system can be restored to eliminate odours. This part of the process may require the intervention of a specialist, but not systematically. Indeed, there are several simple methods to overcome bad odors. It depends on the source of the problem. You can:
- Call on a professional;
- Clean the siphon;
- Make use of baking soda;
- Use coffee grounds.
Calling on a professional
When caulking or clogging cracks or breaking pipes identified during a smoke test, it is much more advisable to involve a professional. His intervention, naturally more technical, will prevent theinfiltration of animals and a more effective fight against pipe odors. Note that, Delta Smoke Test, is also specialized in solving plumbing problems, making it not only the detector, but also the solver. Their technical services respond promptly to resolve your plumbing problems.
Clean the siphon
The siphon is located below the sink in the kitchen or from the sink to the bathroom. It is an elbow device that allows you to retain waste from your work. When clogged, it causes strange odours to emanate due to the proliferation of bacteria. To clean it, it must be unscrewed and its contents recovered in a basin previously arranged below. You empty it cleanly and then put it back in place making sure it’s waterproof.
Make use of baking soda
This chemical compound is widely used in plumbing because of its properties. In combination with salt and white vinegar, baking soda has the ability to eliminate odours from your siphons by creating a chemical reaction, the purpose of which is to eliminate grime and organic residues present. Simply place 100g of baking soda, 100g of salt and 33 cl of white vinegar in the siphon. You let the reaction happen for half an hour and then you run water.
Use coffee grounds
The process here consists of depositing about 30 g of coffee grounds in your siphon and then letting hot water run for a few minutes. Note that you will need to repeat the action for a few days for its effectiveness to be effective.
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