Sewer gas leak trouble for 15 years? Yes, we fixed it!

Welcome back to Happi Plumbing Channel. We are going to review a case about fixing sewer gas leak trouble for 15 years.

The customer is running a restaurant and complains about the persistent sewer smell that has been ongoing for the last 15 years. The next-door SPA shop is also impacted by the smell. They have hired 5 plumbing companies to get it fixed and none of them solved the issues successfully.

We did the following steps to solve the issues.

Step 1: Found the cleanout entry and prepared to conduct a smoke test, but discovered there was significant back pressure in the sewer, preventing the smoke test from being done through the cleanout.

Step 2: Inspected all floor drains and cleanouts, found several problematic areas, installed trap seals and plugs to try to address the sewer gas odor issue. However, we quickly received a call again about a strong sewer smell, indicating the issue was not fully resolved.

Step 3: We conducted the smoke test via the roof vent and found a large amount of smoke coming from the bathroom.

Step 4: Opened the bathroom ceiling and tested again, finding smoke coming out of the cast iron vent and from inside the walls.

Step 5: Noticed cast iron corrosion and concluded that the cast iron pipes were corroded, allowing sewer gas to leak from the damaged section. The client agreed to our plan to replace all the cast iron vents inside the walls.

Step 6: Created a protective pathway at the worksite to ensure the working site remained clean and orderly.

Step 7: Rented a professional lift from Sunbelt to reach a working height of 20 feet.

Step 8: Cut open the wall to access the pipe entry point.

Step 9: Installed safety protection measures in preparation for the elevated work.

Step 10: Cut open the wall, and upon inspection, found that the cast iron pipes were corroded and cracked. Our initial diagnosis was completely correct.

Step 11: Removed all the cast iron pipes, which had deteriorated significantly. This was the root cause of the odor problem that had been ongoing for 15 years.

Step 12: Reinstalled PVC piping using fittings and installation methods that fully comply with plumbing code regulations.

Step 13: Installed strap supports as required by plumbing code.

Step 14: Conducted another smoke test—no more sewer gas leaks.

Finally, after the client inspection, no more odor, and the 15-year-long issue was finally resolved. The client was very, very happy! We are so happi to help.

今天给大家分享一个案例，fix sewer gas leaks trouble 15 years

客户问题：一家餐馆反映在过去15年他们一直深受下水道臭味的困扰，隔壁的 SPA 也在这臭味严重影响了自己的经营。他们前后找了5家水管 公司，都不能帮他们解决问题。

• 找到cleanout 入口，准备做臭气的烟雾测试, 但是发现下水道有很大的背压，无法通过cleanout 做这个测试。
• 检查了所有的floor drain 和cleanout ,找到几个有问题的地方，安装了trap seal 和plug, 尝试解决臭气的问题。但是很快又接到电话，还是有强烈的下水道异味，问题并没有彻底解决。
• 我们通过屋顶的vent 来做臭气的烟雾测试,发现大量的烟雾从厕所冒出来
• 打开卫生间的天花板, 再次测试，发现烟雾从铸铁排气口以及墙体里面冒出来
• 同时观察到铸铁管腐蚀, 基本判断是因为铸铁管腐蚀，导致臭气从腐蚀的地方冒出来。客户接受了我们更换所有墙内铸铁管排风口的方案。
• 工作场所通道铺设防护通道，保证工作环境的干净整洁。
• 从Sunbelt公司租用专业升降机，以达到20ft 的作业高度。
• 切开墙体，打开进入管子弄的通道。
• 架设安全保护措施，准备登高作业。
• 切开墙体，观察发现铸铁管腐蚀断裂，我们的前期诊断完全正确。
• 拆除所有的铸铁管，铸铁管已经腐蚀得相当严重，这就是15年来臭味困扰的根源。
• 重新安装PVC管道，用完全符合plumbing code 规定的接头并安装。
• 按照plumbing code 的规定，安装straps support。
• 再次做臭气烟雾测试，不再有任何臭气泄露。

客户验收，不再有任何异味，困扰15年的问题终于得到了彻底解决，客户very very HAPPI !